A non-formal education approach of medicinal plant sellers

摘要

This article reports on the results of a non-formal education intervention program that involved medicinal plant sellers in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study was done in two phases. It identified and explored the prevalent challenges of the medicinal plant-selling businesses. A selected number of medicinal plant sellers were exposed to a capacity-building instructional intervention strategy aimed at addressing the skills and knowledge gaps identified. The principles of education for sustainable development (ESD) were followed as part of the study's theoretical foundation. Data were collected through semi-structured and focus group interviews. The results reveal that the medicinal plant sellers face a number of challenges such as lack of business acumen, and knowledge about processing methods techniques and packaging. They have, for example, poor marketing and pricing skills, low banking esteem and poor record keeping, particularly of stock. This indicates their slow implementation and application of the information and skills as discussed in previous workshops. Positively, there is evidence that some of the medicinal plant sellers had begun revisiting their business practices based on previous discussions. Overall, the processing of medicinal plant materials and packaging needs urgent attention.