Languages: 
The naming of November (Eyenkanga) and October (Eyedwarha) in the Xhosa language provides suggestions for Indigenous knowledge in Natural Sciences.The priority knowledge areas include species occurrence, species identity, population abundance, and DNA information, particularly barcoding. Such information is termed "fundamental" or "foundational" because it serves as the basis for numerous aspects of biodiversity research and decision-making.
The consideration of Indigenous knowledge insights, aiming to integrate isiXhosa and other South African native languages into Natural Sciences, is essential. There is evidence supporting this integration as a valuable contribution to biodiversity and ecological research.
Cultural Insights
Ethnobotany involves studying how different cultures classify and use plants (https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-11-13).
Conservation of Biodiversity
By documenting traditional knowledge about plant uses, ethnobotany helps in conserving both plant species and cultural heritage (https://americanprofessionguide.com/ethnobotany-plants-cultural-uses/).
Identification of Useful Plants
Ethnobotanists often collaborate with local communities to identify plants with medicinal, nutritional, or other practical uses. This collaboration can lead to the discovery of new species or new uses of known species (https://americanprofessionguide.com/ethnobotany-plants-cultural-uses/).
Holistic Understanding
Combining ethnobotanical knowledge with scientific classification provides a more holistic understanding of plant species – ecological and cultural (https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-11-13).
Sustainable Practices
Ethnobotany promotes the sustainable use of plant resources by learning from traditional practices that have been honed over generations. This can inform modern conservation strategies and sustainable development (https://americanprofessionguide.com/ethnobotany-plants-cultural-uses/).
Overall, ethnobotany enriches the scientific study of plants by incorporating diverse cultural perspectives and traditional knowledge, leading to a more comprehensive approach to plant species classification and conservation. Perhaps we can develop a unique South African curriculum on Indigenous Knowledge in Natural Sciences (IKNS).
By Professor Albert Modi, Executive Dean: faculty of Natural Sciences
