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Reed mats are used by a few households for sitting or for grain storage, and are produced mainly in
the Panhandle area by a small percentage of households, generating a total value of about P7000
(Table 5-22). The production of reed fishing gear, mainly by households in the panhandle area,
contributes a further net benefit of P3000 to households (Table 5-23). This probably includes the
production of traditional Hambukushu fishing baskets from a reed-like grass.
Table 5-22. Estimated household production and value of reed mats in the study area.
Gross Net
Gross
Reed mats % Produced Sold
private private Cash economic Gross value
hh (mats) (mats) Price value value Income output added
N Per producer hh 5 2 1 20.0 44 43 20 46 46
TOTAL (P, 2005) 350 159 6 999 6 776 3 181 7 349 7 290
TOTAL (US$) - - - - 1 296 1 255 589 1 361 1 350
N
W
Table 5-23. Estimated household production and value of reed fishing gear in the study area.
Produced
(traps or
baskets)
Sold
(traps or
baskets) Price
Gross
private
value
Net
private
value
Cash
Income
Gross
economic
output
Gross value
added
Per producer hh 15 2 0 20.0 32 6 - 33 7
Reed fish gear %
hh
Total 859 0 17 180 3 031 - 18 039 3 890
Per producer hh 2 2 0 20.0 30 5 - 32 7
Total 76 0 1 523 269 - 1 599 345
TOTAL (P, 2005) 935 - 18 703 3 300 - 19 638 4 235
TOTAL (US$) - 3 463 611 - 3 637 784
Reeds have been depleted in some areas, particularly where flooding no longer occurs in the lower
delta, and are reportedly increasingly scarce (Kgathi et al. 2002). There is also pressure from some
communities (e.g. Ditshiping – NG 32) to harvest reeds and grass in Moremi game reserve. The
dwindling supply in relation to demand has led to premature harvesting of reeds and grasses. This
demand is fuelled not only by construction needs but the possibility of generating cash income.
Reeds and grasses are ideally harvested from the beginning July, after their seeds have matured.
However the traditional rules are not adhered to and the local conservation committees are ineffective
(TLB 2006).
Papyrus Cyperus papyrus is found in the permanently inundated channels and pools of the delta, and
is used mainly to make sleeping mats. Although this is one of the most abundant resources of the
delta, it is not that accessible to households around the delta, apart from those living close to these
permanently flooded areas. No papyrus is collected by households in the South West zone. Most
papyrus collection is by households in the panhandle and central delta area, though this is still only by
about 10% of households per year (Table 5-24). Almost none of this is for sale. Nearly all
households that harvest papyrus also produce mats, worth about P100 – 125 apiece. This generates
a total benefit to households of some P100 000, with about half of that being cash income to
households.
5.4.5 Palms
Leaves of the Mokola palm Hyphaenae ventricosa are harvested mainly for the manufacture of
baskets, handbags and other crafts. This palm is typically associated with floodplains and fringes the
myriad islands in the delta area. The young leaves are collected and dried before being used or
packaged in very small bundles for sale. Dried leaves used in basketry are dyed using natural dyes
such as from Eucla divinorum and Berchemia discolour (Terry 1984; Table 5-26). Baskets are made
by wrapping the palm leaves around grass Eragrostis pallens or vine (Menispermancene) to produce
a coil (Terry 1984).
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