Lowveld, Mpumalanga · Est. 2024
Passing down what our ancestors knew about trees.
African Indigenous Academy teaches children and communities to know, grow and protect the indigenous and medicinal trees of the Lowveld.
01
The medicinal garden
A living classroom of indigenous medicinal plants, where traditional knowledge is shared and recorded.
02
Tree planting
Growing and planting indigenous trees with families, schools and partners across the Lowveld.
03
Children and schools
Lessons outdoors that help children name the trees around them and understand why they matter.
“I want to pass down the knowledge our ancestors used.”Joel Sithole, founder
Joel has worked in the bush since 2007, first as a nature guide, then as a research assistant with Elephants Alive. The Academy grew from the indigenous medicinal garden he began with Dr Michelle Henley’s support.
The tree guide
Learning to name what we see
Marula, baobab, wild olive and fever tree: our guide gives each tree’s common, local and scientific names and how it has traditionally been used.
