Sour fig harvesting provides income for communities
CapeNature celebrates International Plant Appreciation Day this year by highlighting the important role that indigenous plants play in the livelihood of communities. The special calendar day falls on 13 April every year and is aimed at highlighting the importance of plants in our daily lives.
Much of human nutrition depends on land plants, either directly or indirectly. Human nutrition depends to a large extent on maize, wheat, rice and other staples such as potato. Food can also be harvested from our natural surroundings and many edible species occur in the Western Cape, such as the waterblommetjie from which the well-known bredie is made. Not only do plants such as these provide much needed nutrition, they are also an important part of the economy.
Plants such as the sour fig, which is found in the coastal sands from Saldanha to Mossel Bay, not only provide food and medicine to coastal communities, but also aid in the generation of income. Thousands of kilograms of sour fig is harvested each year by hundreds of people, providing much needed income for the communities in the Overstrand area. While some harvesters sell products made from the fig, others use it to sustain themselves through winter.
Sustainable harvesting techniques protect vulnerable coastal vegetation while authorised harvesters help control poaching all while earning much needed income from this project. To communities such as these, which may have an unemployment rate of up to 85%, the income derived from harvesting sour figs is therefore very important for the local economy.
Sour fig are harvested between November and March. Historically the communities along the West Coast harvested these to store for the winter season when they could not go out to sea. Sour figs would sustain these coastal communities through the tough winter months. The fruit were stored in the roofs of houses to dry out and then jams were cooked from this to provide a meal of sour fig jam and bread. The sour figs also have medicinal value and aid in the healing of mouth sores.
Related News
Firefighters honoured after one of the Western Cape's toughest fire seasons
CapeNature hosted an appreciation event in Velddrif on 4 August 2026 to honour firefighters who were on the frontlines during the Western Cape's most recent fire season. A representative group attended the event on behalf of CapeNature's larger cohort of Field Rangers and firefighters working across the Province. Despite extreme heat and challenging terrain, the firefighters remained steadfast in their commitment to protecting communities, infrastructure and the Western Cape's
CapeNature welcomes the conviction of Cape Town couple for wildlife crime
CapeNature welcomes the sentence imposed by the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Mr Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Mrs Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen of Kirstenhof following their conviction on multiple offences relating to the unlawful keeping, possession and transport of reptiles. The couple were each sentenced on 30 July 2026 to pay a fine of R40 000 or serve 18 months’ imprisonment after being convicted on seven counts under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.
The joy of being outdoors
Life has a way of becoming busy, but sometimes the greatest luxury is simply slowing down. Imagine waking up to fresh mountain air, taking a gentle stroll beneath towering trees, listening to birdsong, or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee while overlooking breathtaking natural landscapes. These are the moments that help us reconnect with ourselves and appreciate the simple joys of life. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the restorative power of nature. That's why we're inviting senior citizens to enjoy peaceful escapes across the Western
Freshwater science takes centre stage at the 2026 SASAqS Conference
The Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) is a learned society concerned with the research, management and conservation of inland waters and their associated biota throughout southern Africa. Established in 1964 as the Limnological Society of South Africa, SASAqS provides an important forum for discussion and sharing of scientific ideas. The two cornerstones of the society's activities are the annual conference and the African Journal of Aquatic Science.
Marine Protected Areas hold the key to human wellbeing
On 1 August, we celebrate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day, a global occasion first marked in 2021 to recognise the role that MPAs play in conserving our oceans while supporting the wellbeing of people and communities. The day encourages us to appreciate the value of MPAs and the many ways they benefit both us and the extraordinary marine biodiversity they are designed to protect. This year's theme, "Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection," reminds us that conserving our oceans is a shared responsibility.
Bringing Conservation to Life Through Storytelling, Film and Digital Media
When was the last time a film, photograph or story about nature made you stop and feel something? Perhaps it was a breathtaking wildlife documentary. A short social media reel that transported you to a mountain peak. A travel video that inspired your next adventure. Or a story that highlighted the impact of a wildfire and reminded you why conservation matters. Every adventure has a story. Watch ours on our YouTube channel and subscribe for more.