News

CapeNature, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC) – Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), hosted its first Traditional Healers Indaba on Saturday 29th October at Driftsands Nature Reserve near Delft. This marks the beginning of a series of interactions and the realisation of a permanent relationship with users of natural resources in the province.

The content of the indaba included investigating the role and responsibility of CapeNature, the applicable nature conservation legislation in the Western Cape with regard to possession and of natural resources, the correct administrative processes to be followed, and the understanding of the hunting proclamation.

Approximately fifty traditional healers from various organisations in the Cape Peninsula attended the event. They hailed from Nyanga, Langa, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha. After the formal presentations were complete, the participants engaged in lively debate and discussion, ending with planning of a follow up meeting to take place early next year. This will be attended by representatives of traditional healing organisations and will focus on the working relationship between the traditional healing community and CapeNature. The meeting will cover the applicable legislation, administrative processes to be followed, CapeNature contact details of personnel dealing with community conservation matters, etc. The ultimate goal is to ensure that biodiversity products from other provinces and within this province are stored and used according to the applicable legislation.

CapeNature aims to facilitate similar interactions through its Community Based Natural Resource Management & Local Economic Development (CBNRM & LED) Programme and Community Conservation Components of each business unit. This programme defines CBNRM (Community Based Natural Resources Management) as the relationship between people, their institutions, livelihoods and natural resources. It also defines Local Economic Development (LED) as a process by which all sectors work together collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and development with the aim of improving the quality of life for all. Some of the CBNRM & LED programme goals are: to allow free limited access to nature reserves for spiritual and cultural purposes and to facilitate agreements on sustainable harvesting and utilization of natural resources in protected areas, on private and communal land, for the benefit of the local communities.

Traditional and indigenous communities have for centuries been utilising natural resources for healing practices. They see nature as an extension of society – an integral part of human existence in which the utilisation of natural resources is part of the celebration of life.

CapeNature and natural resource users have an obligation to ensure that our heritage is passed onto future generations. CapeNature is committed to spearheading initiatives that will contribute to the improved livelihoods of communities within our area of management and towards making the Western Cape a sustainable home for all.

According to the Programme Manager, Melikhaya Pantsi: “The interaction is long overdue. Nature conservation and traditional healing are inseparable. Access to natural resources, sustainable harvesting and utilisation are key to building the social bridges between conservation agencies and communities. This will contribute towards iKapa Elihlumayo in many ways, thus confirming that the Western Cape is indeed a “Home for All”.

For more info contact Melikhaya Pantsi
CBNRM & LED Programme Manager
Tel (021) 957 5940
Fax (021) 945 3457
Email: [email protected]

Issued by:
Natasha Rockman
Tel: (021) 659 3449
Fax: (021) 659 3442
Cell: 082 831 4276
Email: [email protected]