Strengthening Traditional Medicine Preservation through Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Agriculture in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework guides this study, which investigates options for preserving traditional medicine through Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and agricultural practices in Bushbuckridge. In the face of growing concerns from environmental degradation, overharvesting, and cultural erosion, the project investigates how rural farmers might preserve medicinal plant knowledge and resources. A qualitative study design was used, using semi-structured interviews with specifically chosen participants such as traditional healers, small-scale farmers, and community elders who are recognised as custodians of indigenous knowledge. Purposive sampling allowed for the selection of competent and rich participants who had deep experiential insights into traditional medicine and land use practices in order to preserve traditional medicine. Data were analysed thematically to identify key patterns of knowledge transmission, conservation practices, and the integration of medicinal plant cultivation into local agricultural systems. The findings reveal that indigenous knowledge remains central to healthcare in the region but is increasingly vulnerable due to generational gaps and ecological pressures. Participants emphasized the importance of cultivating medicinal plants within homesteads, strengthening community based conservation initiatives, and fostering intergenerational learning. The study also highlights the need for institutional support, policy alignment, and ethical collaboration between local communities and external stakeholders. The paper finds that integrating IKS with sustainable agriculture provides a realistic option for preserving traditional medicine while improving livelihoods and biodiversity protection, in accordance with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework principles. These findings add to the current debates about culturally grounded development and the significance of indigenous knowledge in sustainable resource management.