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Research Nugget

Government Support for Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainability in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe.

Indigenous knowledge (IK) comprises the wisdom, practices, and customs that communities pass down through generations. It encompasses everything from language and governance to agriculture, health, and natural resource management, and enables communities to adapt to changing environments, conserve biodiversity, and bolster their livelihoods. Despite its clear value for sustainable development, many governments have yet to recognise or support IK formally. In the absence of dedicated policies, this accumulated wisdom risks being lost, exploited, or ignored, undermining progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A recent qualitative multiple‑case study examined how the governments of South Africa and Zimbabwe support IK to promote sustainable livelihoods. The researchers interviewed 10 senior officials (six in South Africa, four in Zimbabwe) across various departments responsible for IK and development. They also analysed key policy documents, such as South Africa’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems Act (2019) and related national plans, and Zimbabwe’s Constitution (2013) and Culture Policy (2015) using thematic and content analysis.

The study specifically set out to:

  • Review existing policies that promote IK.
  • Gather government officials’ perspectives on IK’s benefits.
  • Identify challenges in developing and implementing IK policies.

Key Findings

  • South Africa: The 2004 National Policy on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the 2019 IKS Act protect IK holders, establish benefit‑sharing mechanisms, and create the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office. The Department of Science and Innovation funds IK research, while the Traditional Health Practitioners Act integrates IK into healthcare. As a result, community projects, school curricula, and health services increasingly incorporate IK.
  • Zimbabwe: Although the Constitution and Culture Policy acknowledge IK, no standalone IKS law has been enacted; draughting efforts having stalled owing to low prioritisation and limited funding. Centralised decision-making and weak stakeholder coordination have left much IK undocumented and vulnerable.

Limitations and Ethical Considerations

With only 10 interviews across two countries, the findings may not be generalisable to all Southern African states. Focusing solely on officials also meant that community voices were not directly represented. Given that IK is often held collectively, the authors stress the need for clear intellectual property frameworks to prevent misuse and ensure equitable benefit sharing.

Recommendations

  • South Africa: Integrate IK further into school curricula and launch rural awareness campaigns on documenting traditional knowledge.
  • Zimbabwe: Finalise and enact a dedicated IKS law with allocated budgets and establish a central body to document IK and advise on benefit‑sharing.
  • Both countries: Co‑create policies with IK holders, implement robust IP safeguards, and secure multi‑year funding lines to support community‑led IK documentation.

By strengthening policy support, ethical safeguards, and local capacity, IK can serve as a vital resource for sustainable livelihoods, cultural heritage preservation, and environmental resilience.

Full Research Study
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