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legislation in South Africa, which was implemented in April 2008, allows researchers
to have an unlimited access to biological resources, provided the researcher is in
possession of a permit and is following the terms and conditions of the permit. This
allows the utilization of biological resources to be under control to avoid their
overexploitation. For example, an integrated export and bioprospecting permit may
only be issued if the minister responsible is satisfied that the export of the indigenous
biological resources for bioprospecting will be for a purpose that is in the public
interest, including the conservation of biodiversity in South Africa, the economic
development of South Africa, or enhancing the scientific knowledge and technical
capacity of South African people and institutions (Van Schalkwyk, 2008).
Knowledge of these plants is very important because not only does it have the
potential to lead to the discovery of new alternatives for the treatments of illnesses, it
also has potential from a conservation point of view. A national council consisting of
150 smaller associations was formed by traditional healers in 1986. This has led to
numerous attempts at forming umbrella bodies of traditional healers. These bodies
have experienced successes in terms of representativeness and sustainability over
the years. Through co-operation, collaboration and incorporation, the current
government has shown an intention to build bridges between modern and traditional
medical systems. This is why there are a large number of organizations that regulate
and register traditional healers in South Africa (LeClerc-Madlala, 2002).
If certain plant species are found to be under threat due to a high demand for plant
medicines, measures can then be implemented to try and ensure the sustainability of
such plant species. This sustainability is also important from a cultural point of view
because much of the knowledge is being lost due to not being passed on from one
generation to the next. Thus, it is important to document this knowledge for future
generations, who may one day need the information (Hutchings et al., 1996).
Indigenous women have extensive knowledge of medicinal plants because of their
role as caretakers of children at home (Kothari, 2003). The recognition and
restoration of indigenous women’s knowledge through institutional support, and
these women’s efforts to pass the knowledge onto their future generations, would
enhance the sustainable use of natural resources (Mikkelsen, 2005). According to
Zobolo and Mkhabela (2005), different types of medicinal plants were grown by
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