Traditional healers from across the Free State province took time to partake in a soap-making workshop hosted by CUT’s Centre for Applied Food Security and – Biotechnology (CAFSaB). The workshops are part of an eco-store model project that is funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Grant awarded to Dr Idah Manduna, CUT Senior Researcher: Health Sciences. The aim of the soap-making workshops is to introduce the community to the development of value-added products (soap) using their knowledge of medicinal plants and therapeutic essential oils.

Ntshiuoa Kobo, a training conductor, hails from Tweespruit where she makes her soaps in a designated workspace on her farm. She took the traditional healers through all the safety aspects and equipment requirements for soap making, before providing a well-rounded lesson on the theory behind soap making.

“The most important thing to remember when making soap is that the ingredients are harsh. When working in a lab we need to follow the safety regulations, regardless of whether you are in a science lab or your designated working area at home. As much as making soap can be fun, things can turn ugly very quickly. The last thing we want to experience is injuries from explosions, which is why following the basic safety rules is essential,” warned Kobo.

One of the participants, Mmamoya Rahloua added that the training has been an eye-opener. “The training has been very helpful. We have learned how to make basic soap and how we can then further experiment with our traditional herbs and medicine to provide our clients with a larger variety of products. This is also great as our small businesses can grow,” said Rahloua.

The workshop involved practical sessions, where trainees had the opportunity to apply their recently acquired theory. An essential aspect of the training involved how they could source quality ingredients to ensure their product is up to standard. As well as marketing techniques to ensure their products do well in the market.

“We are also teaching the traditional healers various soap-making techniques, that they can then also experiment with once they have the basics covered. This would include experimenting with essential oils, making soap using different oils and fats, as well as infusing their knowledge of traditional herbs to make their soaps more unique and appealing to consumers. Teaching them these skills offers these women additional options to grow from soap making. And I urge everyone here to take all the knowledge they have acquired her and share it with others, this will also help skill many in our communities who are need of opportunities,” added Kobo.

Caption

1: Ntshiuoa Kobo, the training conductor showing the traditional healers the step of removing the soap from the mould.

2: Traditional healers at the CAFSaB lab, they spent the four days learning how they could use their intrinsic knowledge of medicinal plants and therapeutic essential oils to grow their businesses.

Uploaded: 12 November 2021