By Patience Makwele

In Judea Lyaboloma, Zambezi Region, a group of women has transformed what was once considered a stubborn weed into a source of income and empowerment. 
 

These women are harvesting and selling devil’s claw to Chinese companies and local suppliers across the region, creating job opportunities and changing lives in the process.
 

Devil’s claw, a native plant known for its medicinal properties, thrives in the deep sandy velds of the Nkasa Rupara and Bwabwata National Parks. Today, it stands at the centre of a growing community enterprise.
Despite the risks they face from venomous snakes, wild animals, and elephants, these women courageously venture into the forests to harvest the plant. Their work is not only physically demanding but also dangerous, yet they have committed themselves to sustainably harvesting and processing the plant for both local and international markets.
“We have been harvesting this plant for decades,” said 64-year-old Agness Lushetile. “It is not easy to find. We have to dig at least 1.5 metres deep into the sand, and there are always snakes and scorpions hiding. We burn the surface first, then dig deeper. Once we get it out, we take it home for processing.”
 

This women-led initiative does more than generate income, it also trains harvesters in sustainable practices that help protect the fragile ecosystem. Only the tubers of the plant are collected, allowing regeneration. Seeds are replanted after each harvest to maintain the balance of nature, especially in the face of increasing climate pressures.
With backing from the Ministry of Agriculture, along with small grants from local conservancies and pharmacists, the cooperative has successfully developed medicinal powders and remedies now sold both within Namibia and abroad.