EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS PROGRAMME


1. INTRODUCTION


The aim of the indigenous knowledge systems programme is:

  • The codification of Indigenous Knowledge;

  • The protection and promotion of Indigenous Knowledge within a legal framework;

  • Harness Indigenous Technology in rural development and, whenever possible, in international trade by promoting the establishment of rural SMMEs around those technologies that are economically viable;

  • Demystify Science and Technology within the African community;

  • Restore the dignity of African Culture and Knowledge within the South African superstructure;


    • The vision of the programme is:

    A vibrant and innovative Indigenous Knowledge System operating within an enabling and regulatory legal framework for the reconstruction and development of South Africa and helping sustain a competitive economy through (rural) SMME's and concretely contributing to the African Renaissance.


    The goals which should be obtained by the programme include:

  • Enhance the South African Indigenous Knowledge heritage and link it to similar systems on the continent.

  • Affirm African traditions and culture as legitimate knowledge systems.

  • Audit, document and codify Indigenous Knowledge within the country.

  • Make Indigenous Knowledge a coherent intellectual system that is freely available for learners.

  • Provide a protective enabling and regulatory legal framework for Indigenous Knowledge.

  • Link Indigenous Knowledge to the National System of Innovation by identifying indigenous technologies that can be turned into (rural) SMME's.

  • Enhance the role played by women in development through Indigenous Knowledge and Technologies.

  • Ensure that due social, intellectual and material benefits accrue to communities and to practitioners of Indigenous Knowledge.

  • Strengthen interdisciplinary research in the Historically Disadvantaged Universities (HDUs)which tend to have both geographical and cultural proximity to the communities in which this system of knowledge is embedded.

  • Help in curriculum enrichment by making it relevant and sensitive to the needs of the country and to the resources available in the indigenous cultures of the land.

  • Promote a research ethic in HDUs, especially amongst undergraduates.

  • Promote a synergy between modern knowledge creators, government structures and institutions of traditional/ indigenous knowledge systems.

  • Facilitate a dialogue between Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Western-based Systems of Knowledge, especially in the realm of science and technology.



    • There are currently three committees which actively give attention to the urgent matters regarding the programme:

    The National Steering Committee is the custodian of the project.

    The Technical Team of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Programme (IKS) advises the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and its Chairperson. Its immediate task is to unfold a local policy and to enable legislation. A national workshop and international conference are being organised.

    The Inter Provincial operating structure (IPOS). The main responsibility of IPOS is to put on the agenda of the nation all the issues relating to Indigenous Technologies. Therefore each province (university involved in the research) should provide 5 technologies which can be transformed into business enterprises and maybe even industries.

    Government wants to transform the whole of South Africa. However, something practical in the form of technologies is needed in order to enter into partnership with other countries.

    The Department of Trade and Industry has been involved in SMMEs. It would be helpful to invite the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry to see technologies which can be developed further into business enterprises.


    2. BACKGROUND

    2.1 International perspective

    In June 1992, more than 150 countries of the world, with the exception of the United States of America, signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. In it, they stated their commitment to "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources". The conservation of biodiversity is closely linked to the needs and aspirations of indigenous peoples, and the link between cultural diversity and biological diversity can therefore be made. In addition, it is clear that Indigenous Knowledge belongs to indigenous communities.

    A further perspective of Indigenous Knowledge is that of the World Trace Organisation, which is chiefly concerned with trade and industry within the context of globalisation. It perceives Indigenous Knowledge in terms of intellectual property which, it argues, should be protected within the recognised laws on intellectual property which are predicted on individual ownership. The     Mataatua Declaration on culture and intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples emphasise the importance of IKS.

    However, the notion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) also signifies a movement away from an authoritarian technology transfer approach, towards IKS as a base for development. Indigenous Knowledge Systems also represent an important part of the living cultural heritage of the nation. These Sytems are developed and maintained by communities from generation to generation, or by individuals who reflect the expectations of communities.


    2.2 The South African context

    In the South African context, the Indigenous Knowledge debate is slowly emerging. Marginalised indigenous populations are claiming back the land with its natural resources, to build and improve on their African cultural, technological, artistic, linguistic and traditional healing heritage.

    South Africa needs to develop an IKS programme which simultaneously supports local economic development and the creation of rural SMME's and enhances its rich IKS heritage. In the context of the great economic disparities between rich and poor in South Africa, an IKS strategy can emerge from existing knowledge and contribute significantly to the creation of wealth in local communities. Indigenous technologies form part of a broader systems of indigenous knowledge, and it is these technologies that could form the basis of rural, self-sustaining enterprises.

    This requires a fundamental re-focusing of existing activities, especially at local government level, and necessitates that civil society be substantively and consistently represented and consulted in the identification and definition of IKS in South Africa.

    The concept of "African Renaissance" identifies the thoughts, technologies and activities that Deputy-President Thabo Mbeki has referred to as "the unique creation of African hands and minds". The Indigenous Knowledge Systems Programme can unearth, promote and protect the work of African hands and minds ­ to shine a light on work that has in the past been dismissed and denied.


    The Technical Team is composed of representatives from rural people (among whom the technologists are located), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEA&T), the Portfolio Committee and State Legal Adviser.

    The function of the Technical Team is to

    3.1 Phase One : Audit (completed)

    The project began as a pilot project on Indigenous Technologies. In December 1996, the CSIR requested the University of the North to initiate a pilot project on Indigenous Technologies. Since then the project has been extended to include the following 9 universities: Fort Hare, Transkei (Unitra), QwaQwa, the North (Unin), Venda, North West, Zululand, Vista Mamelodi and UNISA. The audit, which identified 35 technologies, was completed in June 1998.


    3.2 Phase Two : National Workshop

    The Programme is well into its second phase. A National Workshop is to be held at the University of the North-West on 21-23 September 1998, to which 200 delegates will be invited.

    There will be four Commissions:

    The workshop and Conference form part of the broader process of policy-making and legislation to promote and protect IKS.


    3.3 Phase Three : Establishing a policy framework

    The development of a policy on IKS in South Africa is in process. A prolegomena to a policy has been approved by the Steering Committee.


    3.4 Phase Four : Legislation

    Producing a draft bill that will provide a legislative framework for IKS as well as make provision for the promotion and protection of indigenous community intellectual property rights.


    3.5 Phase Five : Communication campaign for IKS

    3.6 Phase Six : Regional Conference

    This conference is planned for early 1999. As an outcome and, indeed, a continuation of the Year of Science and Technology programme, it will serve a promotional purpose. A media campaign will be undertaken to publicise promotional events that arise out of the Conference.


    4. ADDING VALUE

    Value can be added to the IKS Programme through the support and execution of the following functions:

    Coordination. The Coordinator plays a vital role in coordinating the various activities of the Programme, thus ensuring its smooth functioning. Networking, research and general administration are important aspects of the job.

    The protection of the intellectual property of Indigenous Knowledge necessitates legal advice.

    A media campaign to create and develop awareness of IKS and associated technologies will need to be put in place. For this, the services of publicity specialists will need to be employed.

    As the Programme grows and develops, and in order to support innovation, the services of specialist consultants as well as researchers will be needed.

    Workshops would need to be held at universities and other related institutions, as well as visits to other centres, both regionally and internationally.

    The integration if IKS-related activities so that a common vision can be realised.



    The anticipated deliverables of the Programme are as follows:

     

    Once a research and development programme has been established, it will be possible to unleash the massive employment potential that exists among the indigenous people of our country, for which the Year of Science and Technology has already provided the momentum.


    Back to Portfolio Sub-Committee Index

    Last Updated on May 31, 1998 by
    Henri Fortuin from the CSIR