sustainable use of biodiversity, a pillar of rural economies- Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the trade in indigenous medicinal plants is a multi-million-rand industry that supports livelihoods across the value chain, and that sustainable use of biodiversity is a pillar of rural economies across the country, supporting thousands of homes.
Ramaphosa delivered an address at the Biodiversity investment indaba conference on Tuesday.
He said the sustainable biodiversity use also contributes to urban economies with traditional medicine markets existing in nearly every major urban centre in South Africa.
"A good example of this approach is Rooibos, a product that is not just popular in South Africa but around the world.
"Four years ago, the first industry wide benefits sharing agreement was launched between the South African Rooibos industry, and the Khoi and the San councils. This agreement has to date, distributed a total of 28 million to two councils in recognition of the communities indigenous knowledge of the rooibos species".
At his address Ramaphosa added that indigenous people should be compensated.
He says sustainable mass cultivation of indigenous plant species must support the creation of businesses, factories, and value chains.
"This mass cultivation can also assist land restoration and land rehabilitation. To ensure a more holistic approach to access and benefit sharing we are developing nurseries for the production of indigenous species,” he says. “These species can be cultivated for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
"When it comes to animal species beneficiation must result in the establishment of community run businesses, like lodges, meat butcheries and production facilities".
Ramaphosa has called for rural communities, disadvantaged individuals and traditional leaders to be part of devising new approaches to investment in community-owned land for biodiversity-based enterprises.
"This is what a revised biodiversity economy strategy aims to achieve and address. it aims to synergise our economic and conservation objectives by emphasising that a successful biodiversity economy must be linked to the restoration of ecosystems".
He says the work to conserve and restore biodiversity takes place as the world is experiencing the increasingly destructive effects of climate change.
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