According to Eugene Troskie of Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation, the alarming rate with which the destruction of large and mature mopani trees in the eastern part of Limpopo has increased is concerning. He says the trees are often cut in protected areas, which is illegal. “There are truckloads of mopani trees leaving the Greater Kruger and at this stage, there is little or no management of the problem.”

He says consumers buying firewood should be educated on where the firewood they buy was sourced. “They should ask firewood vendors where the firewood they are selling comes from,” he says. Many households in rural areas still depend on firewood for cooking and warm water to bathe as most do not have access to geysers.

Also read: An increase in illegal selling of bush meat

Shisanyamas and many rural schools still use it for cooking meals for their learners as it is much quicker and cheaper. The mopani tree is indigenous to Africa and grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas.

The wood has a high density when it is completely dried out making it popular for building purposes and firewood. Troskie advises residents to report to the police or the Limpopo Department of Economic, Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) if they come across anyone selling mopani wood.