IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i20p6961-d1265637.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Knowledge, Perception and Consumption of Indigenous Foods in Gauteng Region, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Hema Kesa

    (Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa
    Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

  • Alex D. Tchuenchieu Kamgain

    (Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa
    Centre for Food, Food Security and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé 13033, Cameroon)

  • Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma

    (Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
    Agricultural Research Council, Central Office, Smallholder Agricultural Development Unit, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Xikombiso Mbhenyane

    (Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

Abstract

Urbanisation in South Africa has led to a nutritional transition from traditional diets (mainly based on indigenous foods) to a Western diet. Currently, the country is one of the most concerned about the prevalence of associated malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. One should, therefore, question the position of indigenous foods (IFs) in the population’s eating habits since their nutritional and health value is known. This study aimed to collect updated data on South Africans’ true awareness and consumption of indigenous foods, especially in the Gauteng region (the most urbanised province of the country). A quantitative cross-sectional research survey was conducted (n = 746). Among a list of 18 IFs, grain sorghum 32.4% (n = 242), marula 32% (n = 239), pearl millet 21.7% (n = 162), amadumbe 19.3% (n = 144) and cowpea 18.6% (n = 139) were the best known. However, the study noticed a maximum consumption of 19.3% (grain sorghum). Overall, this consumption was seasonal, and its level was significantly defined by race ( p < 0.05). Black people consume more IFs compared to coloured people, Indian people and white people. Participants mostly consumed these foods for nutritional and health reasons and pointed out the problem of availability. “Poor image” was rated the lowest by all races (black 5.8%, coloured 4.2%, Indian 7.0% and white 4.1%) regarding the reasons for no or low consumption of IFs. Whatever the race, the desire to increase IF consumption was positive. The promotion of their integration into South African diets should, therefore, be considered as an intervention strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Hema Kesa & Alex D. Tchuenchieu Kamgain & Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma & Xikombiso Mbhenyane, 2023. "Knowledge, Perception and Consumption of Indigenous Foods in Gauteng Region, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-13, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:20:p:6961-:d:1265637
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/20/6961/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/20/6961/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Racheal Akinola & Laura Maureen Pereira & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Francia-Marié de Bruin & Loubie Rusch, 2020. "A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-30, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lindiwe M. Sibanda & Sithembile N. Mwamakamba, 2021. "Policy Considerations for African Food Systems: Towards the United Nations 2021 Food Systems Summit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Mengyi Zhang & Peter Dannenberg, 2022. "Opportunities and Challenges of Indigenous Food Plant Farmers in Integrating into Agri-Food Value Chains in Cape Town," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Abiodun Olusola Omotayo & Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu, 2020. "Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Inclusion of Indigenous Plants for Food Security among Rural Households in the North West Province of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Nonkululeko Thandeka Brightness Zondi & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi & Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo, 2022. "Impact of Market Participation of Indigenous Crops on Household Food Security of Smallholder Farmers of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Onomu, Achoja Roland, 2023. "Pitfalls and potential pathways to commercialization of indigenous food crops, fruits, and vegetables in Africa," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Asian Economic and Social Society (AESS), vol. 13(01), January.
    6. Akuto Akpedze Konou & Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou & Victoria M. Mwakalinga & Baraka Jean-Claude Munyaka & Armel Firmin Kemajou Mbianda & Jérôme Chenal, 2024. "Exploring the Association of Urban Agricultural Practices with Farmers’ Psychosocial Well-Being in Dar es Salaam and Greater Lomé: A Perceptual Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-26, August.
    7. Innocensia John, 2024. "Indigenous or Exotic Crop Diversity? Which Crops Ensure Household Food Security: Facts from Tanzania Panel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, May.
    8. Yevheniia Varyvoda & Douglas Taren, 2022. "Considering Ecosystem Services in Food System Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-16, March.
    9. Carla Vanessa Alves Lopes & Seema Mihrshahi & Rimante Ronto & John Hunter, 2023. "Aboriginal Food Practices and Australian Native Plant-Based Foods: A Step toward Sustainable Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-25, July.
    10. Hillary Mugiyo & Vimbayi G. P. Chimonyo & Mbulisi Sibanda & Richard Kunz & Cecilia R. Masemola & Albert T. Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2021. "Evaluation of Land Suitability Methods with Reference to Neglected and Underutilised Crop Species: A Scoping Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-24, January.
    11. Dolapo B. Adelabu & Angelinus C. Franke, 2022. "The Beneficial Effects of Insect Pollination and Biochar Seed Coating on Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) Seed Quality at Varying Temperature Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-17, October.
    12. Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi & Sinethemba Sibusisiwe Zulu & Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo, 2023. "Effect of Consumers’ Acceptance of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables and Their Contribution to Household Food Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.
    13. Nomfundo Shelembe & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo & Albert Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi, 2024. "The Association of Socio-Economic Factors and Indigenous Crops on the Food Security Status of Farming Households in KwaZulu-Natal Province," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    14. Jamilah Mohd Salim & Siti Nursyadiq Anuar & Khatijah Omar & Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad & Nur Azura Sanusi, 2023. "The Impacts of Traditional Ecological Knowledge towards Indigenous Peoples: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, January.
    15. Qhelile Ntombikayise Bhebhe & Mjabuliseni S. C. Ngidi & Muthulisi Siwela & Temitope O. Ojo & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2023. "The Contribution of Trees and Green Spaces to Household Food Security in eThekwini Metro, KwaZulu-Natal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:20:p:6961-:d:1265637. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.