HSRC Seminar: The Role of Research in Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for Rural Transformation and Technological Innovations in South Africa

28 May 2020

Online seminar

Overview: Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are gaining currency as new strategies for Africa’s development. IKS is a unique system of knowledge owned, inherited or developed by close groups, communities or individuals of common historical or genetic origin. For generations past and present, IKS have driven healthcare, food and nutritional, safety and security, housing construction, and ecosystem management practices in Africa’s rural communities. Yet, colonialism and religion have labelled IKS as fetish, cultic, primitive and superstitious practices. This seminar explores nuances that would reverse the rapid demise of IKS; exploit the synergy between research and IKS; and interrogate how IKS and research interface would provoke technological innovations for rural transformation in South Africa.

Presenter: Prof. Francis O.C. Nwonwu, HSRC

Chair: Carol van Wyk, Department of Science and Innovation

For more information and to download seminar presentation: http://bit.ly/iksseminar