Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, has informed Parliament that the ministry is mandated to promote indigenous plants to preserve their germplasm for future generations through planting programmes. Responding to a parliamentary question on Tuesday, Minister Mmolotsi noted that the ministry was committed to continuously monitoring species under threat of over-exploitation.

The minister said Mositsana plant (Elephantaruza Elephantina or Elephant’s root, sometimes called Eland’s Bean) and Leruswa (Fockea Angustifolia) were among those currently under monitoring. 

He added that in the short term, community-based cultivation through nurseries and agroforestry would reduce pressure on natural populations, alongside habitat protection through rangeland management and restoration. 

He mentioned that public awareness campaigns were regularly undertaken to sensitise communities on responsible use while preserving indigenous species. 

Again, he said the ministry also employed seed banking, living collections and potential tissue culture to conserve genetic diversity and support restoration. 

He further noted that, in the long term, it would strengthen research capacity, document traditional knowledge and develop evidence-based propagation, adding that “if over-exploitation was confirmed, species will be referred to the IUCN for Red List inclusion.”

 Furthermore, he noted that through the Museum Radio Programme, the ministry was collecting oral histories nationwide, including in more than 10 villages in Letlhakeng District. 

He highlighted that current focus areas include totemism (direto), harvesting and preparation of the morama bean (Tylosema Esculentum), village origin stories and Bongaka jwa setso (traditional healing and healers). 

This was in response to Member of Parliament for Letlhakeng, Brigadier Domcaza Mokgwathi, who had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on the short and long-term measures for preserving indigenous plants Motshiha, Khyara, Mositsana and Leruswa as well as elaborate on cultural preservation based on the oral history of the Letlhakeng District. ENDS