I've seen a type of nettle in Africa, AND in Australia AND in Italy, and in Czech ... Seen the bloody stuff everywhere. Maybe man has spread it just like Red-backs (black widows) and rats.

Here we just call it a "stinging nettle", not sure of its correct name. It is a weed and grows very well in Summer after some rain and covers the ground. Animals will eat it if hungry enough when it is very young and help propigate it this way. When it is taller they leave it alone, but I don't know about the tough mouthed African game.

It stings if touched onto bare skin and will raise lots of white bumps which itch and burn. The slightest touch is enough and the effect is delayed by a few seconds. The burns I received in Italy from it and in Zimbabwe felt far worse than here at home.

It certainly causes discomfort but I wouldn't think it dangerous. Unless one rolled around in it nude or went for a frollick in the "grass".