African Crops For The Future Ep01: The Mongongo Tree (Schinziophyton rautanenii)

[@hlanganisoc]

I love this guy they must sponsor him for Netflix programs.... this is so informative the world has to watch this

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks Charles, I'm keen and ready when Netflix call!

[@MariaVisenga]

My childhood food. Nongongo tree,some called it mongongo as a rukwangali speaking and growing up at the village, we called it nongongo. And mahangu , full of nutrients.

[@neelsolanki9400]

Promoting the use of crops like these are so great because they not only provide livelihoods for these communities but also give them a great reason to preserve their native ecosystems in the process!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks, absolutely, the more we can do to help preserve natural ecosystems the better for everyone, right?!

[@allanmayger3275]

The wood has uses too, and I seem to remember that during the UDI era a local model shop used it as a substitute for balsa wood. I still have a model glider made of this, and the kits were successful enough to export. A bit heavier and more brittle than normal balsa.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks for sharing that titbit. It is indeed sometimes used as a balsa wood substitute. Traditionally as a fishing float. But a model glider is also an excellent use!

[@greatoutdoors630]

Excellent exposition of the usefulness of many little known plants. This is how we were made to live!

[@helenapostma2626]

Agree with Charles. He is the only one in the world and an eye opener for all of us and perhaps with David Attenborough Come on Netflix approach African Plant Hunter

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you so much. I'm not going to sit by the phone waiting for the Netflix call, but if they do by any chance get hold of me I'll be ready!

[@danuwankudi6636]

Just found you for the first time. I am a certified Chemist living in Northern Nigeria with a great inspration of nature and a great attachment of food and medicinal Science. Happy i'm hoocked with your selfless contribution to knowlege👍!!. Keep spreading good thing brother. In addition, baobab plants increase livido and reduce Man and Female infatility, i blieve one of the major reason of failure in family planing programme in some part of Africa is connected with baobab plant consumption. Remember Monosodium glutamate did more harm than Good in our Men sexual strength and that can easily be reverse through the consumption of baobab plant.

[@garthb4131]

One of the most beautiful trees. Never tried the nuts though, will have to try and get my hands on some

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Please do, and tell us how they taste to you once you've found some!

[@jamesvanminnen2676]

Absolutely fantastic! This is the direction and approach we could all do with supporting and getting behind!!!

[@nigelgericke2533]

Congrats Gus, wonderful you're reaching a wider audience through these important videos!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks Nigel, I appreciate your words. Seems like we're getting some traction here. If you ever see an opportunity to do something together, give me a shout. I'll be there like a bear!

[@nigelgericke2533]

@@AfricanPlantHunter That would be great Gus!

[@Babatwomukomacollin]

GOD love Zimbabwe country

[@wenatahakwano3718]

talkabout easily see it, am right next to a mogongo tree about 100 000 others around me right here in senanga district western province.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Nice, thanks for sharing that!

[@elsabadenhorst9746]

Thank you

[@lancefall4811]

Thanks for the education, I didn't realize the Morgongo was so useful !

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@spirituallyflexy]

Thank you so very much for this valuable information.

[@alvinwitherspoon5960]

Could you do a video about yangu oil. It comes from the Cape Chestnut Tree

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks, absolutely, that's a great idea. Next time I see one of these trees I'll definitely do a video on it. Calodendrum capense is a very interesting species!

[@ndinelaohipetwa8064]

I am watching from Namibia we have also that tree we call it omunghete

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks for sharing that and warm greetings to Namibia!

[@NamibianFoodForestHomesteading]

How will I ever get hold of Mongongo in northern Namibia?

[@thendarasworld7692]

We grew up eating this in Namibia 🇳🇦

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

It's tasty, hey! I love mongongo nuts!

[@maragrace820]

Can you make a video on plants for honey bees? I plant everything they like

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks, that's a great suggestion, i will definitely work on that!

[@tazviona]

Another excellent presentation. Really enjoy your channel. Very informative and educational.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you!

[@extropiantranshuman]

I know theese are found in the kalahari desert, but with such a wide range of growth - would it be possible to see these trees growing naturally more south like south africa and more north like uganda and the congo?

[@mena2138]

Hi, could this tree thrive in south spain with water supply?

[@abrahamboniface6305]

Any information on Moerbos?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Not yet, but I'll definitely add it to my To Do list!

[@thechosenzgen]

Useful videos Am studying LPH

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Keep watching. Much more to come!

[@Guavauava]

Where can one purchase mongongo nuts if you live outside of africa?

[@ronakio]

Great content as always!!!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Appreciate it!

[@conloubser]

Love your channel!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you so much!

[@LukeBrownAfrica]

Brilliant Gus!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks Luke!

[@thendarasworld7692]

When you boil the Fruit, trust me it's a tasty fruit

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

And the fruit, wow! Thanks for this!

[@aishawilliams5933]

Thank you for this list!!!!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

You're so welcome!

[@alexcontreras6103]

good stuff

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you!

[@joburgerer4127]

I just watched all your videos. What a fabulous channel with golden content. I really share your optimism. I think that Africa has so much to offer this world. Will you do doing a video on Marogo (African Spinach)? Greetings from Stellenbosch, South Africa.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks so much, I'm thrilled you're enjoying them! Yes, absolutely, African Spinach definitely on the cards for a future episode!

[@nanakworld]

Can I grow this from cuttings or seeds?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Best grown from seed, if you can find them!

[@ppkgaming210]

Where to find this tree?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

It's found on the Kalahari sands, western Zambia, western Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eastern Namibia. A very special tree!

[@tessaroux]

Anyone knows about someone who can source me mongongo and mobola plum seeds in south Africa?

[@chiyenyumba7135]

Before you go international how about promoting it for local market

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

I do promote it for a local market. Both as an edible nut (through the brand Hutano Foods) and as a cosmetic oil for skincare and hair care (through the brand Kaza Natural Oils). Unfortunately local consumers in Zimbabwe (and I’m sure the same is true in many other African countries) have a historically low opinion of natural ingredients. The top-selling skincare ingredient in Zimbabwe is petroleum jelly, a known carcinogen. Persuading consumers to switch to a natural alternative (which is inevitably more expensive) is almost impossible! My experience has been that, if we are able to successfully generate export market interest in these products (which, by the way, is a long and difficult process!), eventually that also filters back to local consumers. When a long time petroleum jelly fan in Bulawayo hears from a relative in the US about a product called Mongongo oil from Zimbabwe, they are more likely to try it out than if they simply encounter it on the supermarket shelf next to the petroleum jelly and at twice the price.

[@chiyenyumba7135]

@@AfricanPlantHunter what is the justification for higher prices if its produced using local ingredients with the cheapest labour on the planet

[@lili_dee]

If anyone has found where one can buy these nuts, please share that information. One would think that it should be available in our local shops, especially since it's apparently very tasty, but if it is, it's in a shop that isn't visible to Google (unless you want to buy tons of it from India) (seriously, WTF?)

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Yes, that's a real problem. And you can be absolutely sure that whatever you buy from India ain't the real thing, because these trees definitely don't grow in India! The main problem is that Mongongo nuts haven't been submitted for regulatory approval in the key European and North American markets. And the only reason they haven't is that it's a very (ridiculously!) expensive process. But I agree there's no reason they shouldn't be on sale in Africa. They're available in Zimbabwe and Zambia, but I don't think they're ever sold anywhere further afield. A business opportunity for someone......!

[@lovernthater]

Hey Gus! It’s Adama, I just sent something to your email. I WILL BUY THESE NUT! Let’s see how we can make this happen! Thank you my friend

[@raphlvlogs271]

why can't you ride African elephants?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

You can, but I don't think in this day and age anyone would feel comfortable doing so, simply because it is not considered a nice way to treat elephants!

[@sibusisiwemlala3778]

Interesting! When European settlers arrived in Zimbabwe they had no interest in the native species. Many exotic plants and food crops were introduced into the country and our trees and indigenous foods were looked down upon, so I find it very ironic that now a European is now promoting native species.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thanks, that's a very stimulating comment. It certainly is true that the biggest cause of loss of indigenous vegetation has been commercial agriculture and that, historically at least, this agriculture was predominantly driven by European settlers. I don't think it's true that there was no interest in native species, though. Zimbabwe has one of the biggest herbariums in Africa, and efforts to systematically document and record every indigenous plant species in the country began in the early 1900s. As for the irony of a "European" now promoting native species, let's just say that I am multi generation born and raised in Africa, and I consider myself 100% African. To me it's therefore completely natural that I would be promoting native African species!