MOPANE-VELDCan we afford to

loose this valuable veld type?

by Martin Potgieter, Joey Madzibane,Lenny Mashabane and Dirk Wessels,

University of the North

M opane-veld, whichconjures up images of wild,unspoiled Africa, isdominated by the mopane,Colophospermum mopane, awoodland species. This southernAfrican tree is widely distributedfrom the southern tip of LakeMalawi to north of the Soutpansbergin the Northern Province, and as faras the Olifants River inMpumalanga. It also occurs inAngola, Botswana, Namibia,Zambia, Mozambique andZimbabwe. In South Africa itcovers an area of approximately23 000 km2 , which is nearly 2% ofthe total land area of South Africa.This small distribution area beliesits vast agricultural, medicinal,economic and ecological value forthe people and animals of theNorthern Province andMpumalanga.

Mopane is a xeric (dry anddesert-like) legume tree, belongingto the Fabaceae family. Mopanetrees are of small to medium size,about 4-10 m high. When conditionsdo not favour the development oftrees, the plants can remain stunted,

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forming mopane scrub. The bark hasa very rough texture usually darkgrey to blackish. The leaves aredrooping, and consist of two leafletsresembling butterfly wings. Leavesare shed during winter so that bythe end of winter most of the treesare bare. The first flush of newleaves is formed during lateSeptember to early October, justbefore the rainy season commences.The leaves of this tree move closetogether during the heat of the day,thus casting little shade at midday.

In the Northern Province there isan estimated 16 million ha of gamefarms north of the Soutpansberg.These 8 000 game farms provide theprovince with a valuable source ofincome - annual sales of game alonebring in about RI00 million. Most ofthese farms are dependant onmopane during the winter monthsas a source of fodder for their game.Mopane and Boscia albitrunca(shepherd's tree) are usually theonly trees with leaves during theearly - to middle winter. Antelopebrowse the foliage eagerly andduring dry periods in late winter,even feed on the fallen dry leaves.

Mopane is therefore a valuablecarry-over fodder tree during thedry periods of late autumn andearly spring. Although there is noestimates for the economic value ofthe browse, in the form of reducedweight loss in game during the longdry season, as well as keepingotherwise marginal land productive,it is likely to be worth hundreds ofmillions of rands per year in theNorthern Province and Mpumalanga.

Mopane is the main source offood for Imbrasia belina, themopane worm (actually the larva ofthe mopane emperor moth), a vitalsource of protein (65% of dry mass)in rural areas, especially during leanperiods. Research indicates that 100g of dried mopane worms provide76% of a human being's dailyprotein requirement. Mopaneworms provide farmers andharvesters with an additional sourceof income. The mopane tradeindustry earns Botswana anestimated R46 million annually.

In the Northern Province andMpumalanga many of the ruralpeople do not have access tohospitals. Furthermore, the

Veld fr Flora June 2001

Far left Mopane trees.Below A traditional village in Gazankulu,

orthern Province, with a fence madefrom mopane poles. Mopane was alsoused in the construction of the traditionalhut and kraal. Photos: M. Potgieter.Far right The characteristic leaf and seedsof the mopane tree. Mopane seeds arecovered with resin glands from which thebotanical name is derived - Colophon inIonia was the birthplace of Homer andfamous for its resin, while 'spermum' isGreek for seed.Painted by Christine Marais, and reproduced with kindpermission from Patricia Craven and Christine Maraisfrom their hook on the flora of Namibia, Domara/andFlora (published by Gamsberg and reviewed in theSeptember 2000 issue of Veld & Flora).

orthern Province has one doctorfor every 20 000 people, yet there isone traditional healer for every 200inhabitants. Nearly 83% of tradi-tional healers do not refer theirpatients to westernized medicalfacilities. In areas where mopane isfound it makes a substantial contri-bution to the health care system.In the Venda area the Vhavenda useit for a variety of ailments, whichinclude treating chaffing of theinner thighs, sores, gum bleedingand kidney stones. The Vatsonga(Shangaan) in Gazankulu use it totreat stomach and toothache, gout,diarrhoea and menstrual pains.

Although rural people in theNorthflrn Province and Mpumalangaare slowly converting to awesternized lifestyle, mopane stillmakes a substantial contribution totheir daily needs. Mopane wood isextremely hard, heavy, durable andtermite proof, and it is used asfirewood and for building materials(poles) in constructing traditional

A grain store made from86 mopane poles. Pboto: M. Potgieter.

Veld &' Flora June 2001

huts, kraals, fences and grainstores. Although electricity isavailable to most households inrural Gazankulu and Venda, it isexpensive and freely availablemopane wood is often preferredfor cooking and general heatingpurposes. Mopane burns slowlyand produces a lot of heat.On average, people use nearly8 kg of wood per day, most of itmopane. This means theoverall annualconsumption for afamily of eight is2.7 tonnes. The ashcan contain as muchas 50% lime and issometimes used as afertilizer. A fenceuses as much as 66 m3

of wood and lasts approxi-mately five to seven years.

Although mopane readilycoppices when damaged and so hasthe potential to be managed on asustainable basis, there appears tohave been little managementexperience with the species, despiteits ecological and economic impor-tance. Traditional leaders and localauthorities are trying to establish aresource management system for themopane-veld, but a lack of commu-nication between the communityelders and younger generations andthe fact that most young people aremoving to urban areas, is hamperingprogress. It is sincerely hoped thatthe 'African Renaissance', viewedby many South Africans as a returnto traditional ways, will help toconserve this extremely valuableresourc:;.e for the future.®

Further reading:Potgieter, M.J., Wessels, D.C.J. & Nel, C.

1997. Optimising mopane production.Farmers Weekly, January 3, pp 26-29.

Wessels, D.C.J., Potgieter, M.J. & A. Jordaan1998. Miraculous mopane for wood,worms and wealth. Farmers Weekly,December 25, pp 50-53.

About the authorsMartin Potgieter is an anatomicaltaxonomist based at he Botany Dept of theUniversity of the North (UNIN) , a centre ofexpertise in the field of mopane research.Both Joey Madzibane and LennyMashabane are M.Sc. students at theBotany Dept, specializing in ethnobotany.Dirk Wessels is the Head of the BotanyDepartment, UNIN and co-ordinator ofmopane research in southern Africa.They can be contacted attel (015) 268 2933.