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Traditional Healing, Research and Development Presentation for the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology S26 - First Floor NCOP wing Parliament Cape Town September 3 rd, 2002

LEGISLATURE Parliament Portfolio Committee of Science and Technology Created National Advisory Group IKS Commissioned an IKS audit National/Regional workshops on IKS IKS Bill New Science Councils Programmes Appointed a purchasing agent for research (NRF)

SA TRADITIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM Institutional - 80% of population consult traditional healers - play significant role in community health and leadership - not formally recognized - lack of coordination and systems of validation and reaffirmation - lack of understanding and tolerance by western doctors Knowledge and Resource Base Bio-active plant species years of indigenous/traditional knowledge - sound scientific research and development base - new drug leads (Malaria, TB, Immune modulator) Utilization - Industry ‘exploitation’ - Industry interested to form PPP’s (Public-Private Partnerships) - No benefit sharing (ownership)

Medicinal Trade in South Africa 1988 – plant species used in TM 1988 – plant species used in TM very infrequently traded very infrequently traded (used by approx million people) t medicinal plants traded/year - US$60million t medicinal plants traded/year - US$60million t of wildlife medicinals traded in t of wildlife medicinals traded in KwaZulu-Natal - US$13.3million KwaZulu-Natal - US$13.3million t traded in Mpumalanga – US$2.25million t traded in Mpumalanga – US$2.25million

Animal products trade Cunningham (1993a) Trade in animal products in South African per year Trade in animal products in South African per year Hippopotamus 109 Hippopotamus 109 Lion 42 Lion 42 Nile crocodile 38.7 Nile crocodile 38.7 African Rock Python 37.7 African Rock Python 37.7 Striped weasel 30 Striped weasel 30 Monitor lizard 27.8 Monitor lizard 27.8 Black mamba 10 Black mamba 10 Nyamazane*Ingredients primarily fish meal 12.6t Nyamazane*Ingredients primarily fish meal 12.6t Vimbela*Ingredients of mythical beasts 23.3t Vimbela*Ingredients of mythical beasts 23.3t Animal fats sold (litres/year) * Tonnes/year Animal fats sold (litres/year) * Tonnes/year

Mission of IKS (Health) The IKS Centre supports the MRC goals and strategies through harnessing of IKS for the equitable and fair benefit to the communities of practice.

Objectives (Goals) of IKS (Health) Facilitate Research & Development Facilitate Research & Development To identify relevant research areas, develop proposals in partnership with stakeholders, source funding, implement and manage research teams. To identify relevant research areas, develop proposals in partnership with stakeholders, source funding, implement and manage research teams. Develop IKS Research Support Systems Develop IKS Research Support Systems To develop appropriate systems for: To develop appropriate systems for:  Validating the safety and efficacy of botanicals  Intellectual property, equitable benefit sharing and information transfer Systems  Attracting funds  Identifying critical IKS-related research issues and developing action plans.

Objectives cont. Support Policy Formulation To assist the government and stakeholders in the formulation and development of national & regional policies for the utilization, protection and management of IKS (Health). To assist the government and stakeholders in the formulation and development of national & regional policies for the utilization, protection and management of IKS (Health). To Assist in Commercialization of Health IKS To facilitate the development of appropriate technology transfer and commercialization processes of structures for the equitable and fair utilization of IKS (Health) innovations To facilitate the development of appropriate technology transfer and commercialization processes of structures for the equitable and fair utilization of IKS (Health) innovations

Objectives cont. To play a leading advocacy role in promoting IKS (Health)  To promote the value/awareness and protection of beneficial scientifically verified traditional claims for cures. verified traditional claims for cures.  To add value to knowledge base  To empower communities of practice (information) To develop functional IKS networks To develop and maintain functional networks to promote and advance IKS amongst various stakeholders including the following: To develop and maintain functional networks to promote and advance IKS amongst various stakeholders including the following:  Government through National Department of Health, DACST, Education, Agriculture  IKS practitioners  Funders  Health Researchers (Universities, Science Councils)  Communities  Professional Associations  Institutions (Health & Development)  MRC Staff