Africa Geographic September 2007 [antikvár]

founder's note C This living pharmacopoeia is a timely reminder of the priceless value of Africa's botanical heritage J J On the evening of writing this editorial, it had been a gloriously clear and sunny respite in the midst of a particularly soggy Western Cape winter. My family and I had picnicked and wandered contentedly in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens with the rain-washed, eastern ramparts of Table Mountain rising majestically behind us. Despite the generally inclement weather of recent months, which sadly is forecast to return within the coming 24 hours, there was a sense that the worst of winter was past -guineafowl and francolins were bustling around, cackling officiously at anyone who would listen, male sunbirds sporting their metallic finery were about, as were sugarbirds and bossy little spotted prinias. But most of all, one sensed, and in many instances could see, the coming spring - bare branches touched by the soft green of tiny unfurling leaves, buds straining on the twiggy stems of shrubs, the beginnings of carpets of white daisies. In our wanderings, 1 renewed my acquaintance with a truly wonderful part of the gardens, simply but aptly named 'Useful Plants'. Here you find all manner of indigenous southern African species, each one with a detailed label setting out its medicinal, culinary and other properties, often with appropriately strong warnings about toxicity and the lack of wisdom in attempting to self-medicate. This living pharmacopoeia is not only a tribute to the ingenuity of the Kirstenbosch gardeners, it is also a timely reminder of the priceless value of Africa's botanical heritage - a value that we are so distressingly dismissive of as we constantly remodel our landscapes to suit our human needs. Often this happens in the name of development, but just as often, particularly in the poorer regions of the world, it comes from the sheer need to survive another day. With very few exceptions, it is the natural world that is compromised in any conflict with humanity. The accusation so often thrown in the direction of consen/ationists is that we are obdurately anti-development and that we care more about plants and animals than we do about human beings. Nothing could be further from the truth, as anyone with even the most cursory association with a conservation organisation will know. In fact, the greater part of a present-day conservationist's time is spent negotiating with governments and business for the best outcomes for nature and people. Notwithstanding their efforts, and many significant triumphs, nature conservationists fight an ongoing rearguard action in the modern world. The grand irony, of course, is that we humans unwittingly or uncaringly seem hell-bent on destroying the very essence of that which nurtured our own rise as a species. Everything we are or have comes in some shape or form from nature - our shelter, our food, our clothing and even the medicines that prolong our lives. How fortunate we are to have such repositories as Kirstenbosch, but how much better if all the species represented in it were secure in perpetuity in their diverse natural habitats. Africa Geographic is editorially and financially independent. It enjoys the support and endorsement of several non-government organisations, but it is not affiliated in any way to these bodies or to any other publishing, environmental or political interest group. Africa Ceographic strives to foster an awareness of wildlife, consen/ation, eco-travei, indigenous cultures and the general environment. It consistently advocates the wisest use of natural resources in a manner that involves and is of real benefit to the people of Africa. Africa Ceographic is published 11 times a year.