Mx Nolwazi Mbongwa

"Cultural value and sustainability of wildlife trade among traditional healers and muthi traders in South Africa" (Prof Justin O’Riain, Prof Mark Needham, Dr Vivienne Williams, Dr Vincent Naude)

Nolwazi Mbongwa is a PhD student at the Institute of Communities and Wildlife in Africa (University of Cape Town) looking at the Cultural value and sustainability of wildlife trade among traditional healers and muthi traders in South Africa. The research will contribute much needed information on the cultural and traditional influences on wildlife use in traditional medicine. Furthermore, the research will be able to identify the species that are a priority for traders and traditional users. Nolwazi completed her BSc., BSc. (Hons) (Cum Laude) and MSc. (Cum Laude) at the University of Witwatersrand. In 2014 she accepted her calling to be trained as iSangoma (diviner), and this inspired her to do research that combines her social experiences with conservation. Thereafter, she did her MSc. in ethnobotany looking at the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of traditional healers and muthi traders about using cultivated medicinal plants. She has worked for Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). She has also collaborated with University of the Witwatersrand, National Zoological Garden and Oxford University in various projects investigating and monitoring the wildlife trade in large carnivores and pangolins. She is currently a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Southern African Plant Specialist Group (SAPSG). Whereby, her expertise and experience have added invaluable capacity to SAPSG with regards to sustainable use (linked to both subsistence and commercial trade), conservation planning, recovery work for critically threatened species, ex situ conservation and restoration and habitat conservation in southern Africa. Nolwazi’s love for the environment stems from a rural background where nature is not only loved for its aesthetic value but it also holds cultural significance for its inhabitants. She is passionate about the collaborative work between resource users, scientists and conservationists in achieving the sustainable use of traditional medicine and ensuring that African cultural values are respected and considered in conservation initiatives, so that conflict of interests is avoided and communities can also take part in conserving the environment.