Local Knowledge, Perceptions, and Uses of the Potentially Conflict-Generating Plant Species, Moringa oleifera Lam.: A case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Moringa oleifera Lam. is listed In South Africa as Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT) under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEM:BA), although it is widely used in some communities. We conducted this study to investigate local ecological knowledge (LEK) and perceptions about moringa in the rural communities of Limpopo Province (South Africa). We used a structured questionnaire and open-ended interviews with 106 informants to gather ethnobotanical data associated with utilisation and perceptions of moringa. We found that moringa is generally perceived positively and is used primarily for medicinal purposes, its nutrition value, as livestock feed, and for skin care. Most participants (76%) were unaware that moringa is an alien species and disagreed with NEM:BA regulations to restrict its spread or to eradicate it entirely due to the benefits they associate with it. We argue that listing moringa as SUSPECT could fuel conflict between rural communities that use it and management authorities. Rather, we would urge policymakers to adopt a holistic approach to sustainable conservation strategies that incorporates LEK in future planning.