Harvest season for cultural plant to open next week in KZN
Harvesting of a plant widely used for cultural activities and to make Zulu crafts will commence next week.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in conjunction with iSimangaliso Wetlands Park Authority has announced the official dates for the harvesting of incema, also known as common rush, for areas falling under the park.
Scores of community members in the far north of the province, especially women, rely on the plant to create a variety of Zulu crafts which are sold. The plant is used for creating traditional sleeping mats which are often used at funerals and weddings. Some traditional healers use it for medicinal purposes.
Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo said the decision to announce the dates follows meetings attended by the St Lucia and western shore harvesting committees.
These are made up of community representatives who have assessed the availability of harvestable natural resources for the season from May 5 to 20.
'After thorough deliberation and field assessments, both committees unanimously agreed to proceed with the harvesting operations,' said Mntambo.
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