An Investigation of Firewood Species used by Community of Gundani Village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The use of firewood by most rural communities in the Vhembe district has been a norm. This practice of using firewood for livelihood continues in those villages despite the presence of electricity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utilization of plant species for firewood purpose. Thirty-four informants were interviewed on the use of firewood through a semi-structured interview. Forty-one firewood species were recorded at the study site. The most highly represented family is Fabaceae followed by Rubiaceae and Combretaceae. The three mostly used firewood species were Vepris lanceolata, Parinari curatelifolia and Xylopia parviflora. Preclusion of twenty plant species for firewood due to taboo and other reasons was also recorded. The prevalence in utilization of indigenous plants as firewood is an issue that needs immediate attention in terms of monitoring populations of species involved.