MUTHI TRADERS ON THE WITWATERSRAND, SOUTH-AFRICA - AN URBAN MOSAIC

The Witwatersrand is an extensively urbanised complex in Gauteng, Sout h Africa. The complex is divided into three regions, namely the East R and, Johannesburg and West Rand. In February 1994, prior to the democr atic elections, a study of the trade in traditional herbal medicines i n the region was initiated. Before the survey of the plant species cou ld commence the regional distribution of the herb-traders and also the ir ethnicity and gender was established in order to select traders for the study that were proportionately representative of the herb-trader s actually present. Using municipal trade licence records, telephone d irectories and personal communications the nature of the 'urban mosaic ' of herb-traders was established. There were approximately 244 herb-t raders in 1994, 70% of whom were located in Johannesburg, 20% in the E ast Rand and 10% in the West Rand. In addition, 52% of the traders wer e Black followed by Indian (25%), White (16%) and Coloured (1%). Since the elections the pattern of the mosaic has visibly altered to reflec t the current pattern of South Africa's demography more accurately.