Page 56 - Research Report 2025.1

Participant 1
Yeah, Umhlonyane. People it’s the indigenous herb that
we used to cure the COVID as a result. If you got hold of the organic Umhlonyane from, these rural places, you survived. Then there was also a concoction, where they mixed Intsangu (dagga) and, That’s news now. Yeah. No.
But, it it it it was used for medicinal medicinal purposes, so it was okay.
Participant 2
During the pandemic COVID, 19, there was there was a wide panic from the people “.“Then in rural areas, you had you had people from deep rural areas who would tell you, you would take this herb and that herb. And, if you were to just drink that mixture or, you steam with that mixture, you would then you would then be in a in a better position to cope with the situation. So, I mean, access to such knowledge, systems, also made things much easier.” “So I think, those indigenous knowledge systems also, came to assist in a in a in one way or another.
Participant 5
Yeah. I think we learned a lot during the time of the pandemic, in 2020 is. COVID 19 pandemic. That’s where we saw the indigenous knowledge coming into play. When we saw using Imihlonyane using, you know, going back to steaming and so forth.
Participant 6
Modern knowledge owes its existence to traditional knowledge... medicinal plants... traditional healers forums... registration and formalisation. For the afforestation. We have medicinal Plants there. Yes. And we’ll need also to register our encourage our people. We have people that actively participating knowing certain types of medicines that you can steam with or chew
on. We encourage those things. But, of course, can’t leave the modern part behind. And also, their registration. And making sure We are meeting the health standards. We are working together with the department of health. All of this knowledge be it medicinal or herbal Whatever. Yeah. The department of health is at the centre. Hence we have forums like your traditional healers forums.
Indigenous Practices to Manage Environmental Risks
Indigenous knowledge is not limited to health but extends to managing environmental risks. Participant 3 described how communities in Umzimkhulu use traditional practices, such as carrying sticks, to change the direction of storms. Although these practices may seem outdated in more modernised areas, they remain effective in remote communities that rely on ancestral methods to protect themselves from environmental threats. Participant 5 shared a similar story, explaining how people beat drums to ward off lightning during thunderstorms, further showcasing the role of cultural rituals in disaster management. Indigenous knowledge is often seen as irreplaceable, with its preventive nature providing communities with the tools to mitigate crises long before they arise. Participant 4 emphasised that while modern systems can add value, they cannot replace the depth and effectiveness of traditional knowledge. Indigenous wisdom is seen as a fundamental resource for managing both health and environmental crises, offering preventive solutions that modern systems cannot fully replicate.
Participant 3
“There is an area in the most remote areas in Umzimkhulu. Where they’re using in I want to be why it’s indigenous knowledge as well because when there are heavy rains coming they have sticks they carry and hit to change the direction of the storm. Then the storm will change direction.
So I want to believe in the remote areas, they’re still using the indigenous knowledge. But with the civilised areas there is a bit of resistance. People survive and are protected from these things through the use of indigenous knowledge”
SOME KEY IMPLICATIONS
Participant 5
“There is some knowledge that is there, and it works. For example, when there is a, or you see theres going to be lightning people know what to do. You would hear making loud noises by hitting drums trying to they are trying to chase the lightning away”
Participant 7
“The community assist each other. For example, when there’s, going to be heavy and when the when the weather changes or potential thunderstorm Yeah. They beat drums as a way of alarming.”
Participant 4
“Indigenous knowledge, it’s irreplaceable knowledge. You can add onto it, but you don’t replace it. If everything doesn’t work, indigenous knowledge is always there... it’s preventive knowledge.”
The findings highlight the critical role of indigenous knowledge in strengthening resilience among rural communities, particularly in managing health crises and environmental risks. Ancestral knowledge has served as a pillar of survival, offering preventive and adaptive strategies that help communities mitigate challenges long before they escalate. This knowledge system is deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of rural life, providing communities with practical, holistic solutions to modern problems. These practices have proven essential during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and in managing natural disasters, demonstrating their continued relevance in contemporary contexts.
54 | STUDY OBJECTIVE II