Abstract
This masters dissertation is a quantitative ethnobotanical study on the Bapedi of Central
Sekhukhuneland. As an attempt to nullify any misinterpretation on the subject matter, the definition of
ethnobotany that shall be referred to in this study is that by Balick and Cox (1996) who defined
ethnobotany as “the study of the relationships between plants and people” which includes “the
influences of plants on human culture”. Noteworthy is that the majority of the work published on the
Bapedi is either centred on anthropology or ethnology, or is biased towards medicinal plant use
knowledge that is still resonant amongst traditional healers. Although the food plants of the Bapedi
have been described in detail, almost no published information is available on the full diversity of
indigenous knowledge about plants that are still available and relevant to the local communities and
their everyday material needs. Thus, the aim of this research was to accurately record extant
indigenous knowledge on all of the most important useful plants within the area considered “the
heartland of the Bapedi”. This study included participants from all age groups irrespective of social
status.
The three villages (study areas) selected for this study were Frisgewaght, Ga-Moretsele/Tsehlwaneng
and Ga-Sekele, all of which fall within the Makhuduthamaga Municipality. Based on the type of
information required from the various participants in the villages and data analysis thereof it was
determined that the matrix methodology, proposed by De Beer and Van Wyk (2011), would be the most
suitable for this study. The matrix method comprises of three phases and ensures that high quality
primary data is recorded. The data can be subjected to statistical analysis because of the rigorous way
in which it is gathered (all participants are interviewed about all the known useful plants of the study
area). Prior to any field survey, including interviews with participants could commence, a plant collection
permit was obtained from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and ethical approval
was obtained from the University of Johannesburg’s Science Faculty Ethics Committee. A total of 152
useful plant species were identified during the first phase of the study of which 53 (35%) are exotic
plant species and 16 (30%) of the exotic plant species are listed on the National Environmental
Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA) Act No. 10 of 2004 as invasive plant species. Photographs
were taken of each plant species and used to compile a flip-file which was a fundamental tool for use in
the second phase of the study. After establishing sufficient rapport in each village, the second phase of
the study could commence. A total of 27 willing participants were identified, who fell within four distinct
age groups [children (7-18 years), young adults (19-35 years), adults (36-54 years) and elders (55+
years)], and were subjected to semi-structured interviews. A broad spectrum of plant use categories
was identified which included food, craft and medicinal plant uses. The information collected from each...
M.Sc. (Botany)