On average rural women spend over two hours collecting firewood headloads of 24 kg air-dry mass comprising approximately 28 pieces of 2,40 m length with a diameter of 44 mm and a mass of 862 g. The number of headloads averaged over five per week and average per capita consumption of firewood was 1,14 tons. Women have good local knowledge of tree species collected for firewood. Acacia karoo was the most favoured species. The open fire is used for cooking two to three meals per day. Paraffin was the most favoured alternative fuel. Patterns of woodfuel usage are location specific and vary widely. Research is needed into the multiple use of woody vegetation, as well as appropriate means of conserving woodfuel.