Since its inception in 2001, Mothong has now developed as a research site with several educational and research agencies investigating indigenous plants whose properties are highly sought after by some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

True to its initial mandate as given by the healer’s ancestors, the site boasts being a leading African culture and heritage site. It holds promise for the creation of hundreds of jobs through a community-based pilot plant for the manufacturing of indigenous health and beauty products for international markets.

Over the years a number of stakeholders have supported the project in different ways.  Some of these include the South African Department of Science and Technology (now Department of Science and Innovation), the Department of Health, City of Tshwane municipality, Department of Environmental Affairs, Agricultural Research Council, University of South Africa and Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Examples of research include the University of Pretoria Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, who  have been collaborated with Mothong on aspects of medicinal plant science research. Other collaborations between the Botanical Society of South Africa and the  National Herbarium recently launched a project to collect, identify and document the diversity of plants along the Magaliesberg biosphere mountain ridges, which are recognised by Unesco. A collaborative project led by the Department of Science and Technology aims at cultivating plant species with medicinal and cosmeceutical potential and developing a processing plant on site. Further partnerships include programmes in which botany and natural sciences students  study indigenous plants and medicine to help with research in areas such as HIV, tuberculosis, and recently, Covid-19.

Mothong African Heritage has received many accolades and has been the recipient of many awards, including the National Heritage Council’s 2019 Golden Shield Heritage Awards in the category of National Living Treasure.

Perhaps the most illustrious award received to date is the 2019/2020 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) / South-32 Non-Governmental Organisation Award – known as the ‘Science Oscars‘. TDr Cebisa Mabena won the award for uniting scientists, government and the community through the Mothong African Heritage in nature conservation, technology innovation for socio-economic development using indigenous knowledge systems and modern societies.

This environmental haven in the urban metropolitan township of Mamelodi – part of the spatial planning project of apartheid – dispels the myth that nature conservation is only the preserve of wealthy landowners with nature and game reserves. It instead brings to light the fact that nature conservation is inherent to Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and was practiced by African Ancestors in whatever contexts they found themselves in for time immemorial.

Ntate Mabena’s dream continues. He inspires young people to follow in his footsteps in listening to dreams, clearing up dumpsites and converting them to viable projects.

He hopes to build a plant where indigenous plants can be processed into cosmetic and medicinal products.

His greatest wish is that Mothong African Heritage grows into a thriving Centre of Excellence for African Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

Kasi Economy Picnic (KEP), the brainchild of Mongezi Mabena, Ntate Mabena’s son,  is an open market that invites local businesses to come showcase their products and services. This is a Kasi-based farmer’s market type of gathering for small or startup businesses and medium businesses in Kasi, and families in Kasi, for the people of Kasi, situated at the beautiful Mothong African Heritage site.

KEP is a Mothong African Heritage campaign that aims to give local businesses a space to promote and sell their brands to the communities that they live in. The idea is to also help build the local economy where these businesses can grow to an extent that they can provide employment and also circulate the wealth within the communities they live in.

Because the local entrepreneur does not have enough capital to rent a facility at a mall, neither do they have the financial muscle to participate in corporate marketing strategies and platforms with promo ads… Kasi Economy Picnic is there for their businesses to reach out to a larger audience and promote their brands to become household names.

Mothong African Heritage is big on empowerment, IKS, education, community involvement and capacity building. KEP thus seeks to support local small businesses, particularly within the context of Covid-19, which left many people unemployed.

The environment of Mothong sets KEP apart. The area accommodates outdoor activities such quad biking rides, mountain biking, and going on hiking trails. It includes face painting for children, a coffee and muffin stall, a massage stall, freshly cut vegetable stall, carwash and a variety of food stalls. It is literally a Rand Show in a township with all different kinds of businesses that cater for all age groups.

How to Participate
If a business shows interest in participating, they are invited to contact Kasi Economy Picnic who will email them the application form. Due to Covid-19 regulations, the KEP can only accommodate 30 stalls and caps participants to 500 people. The stall fee is R350.