A proposal to explore Indigenous knowledge, could be realised, between the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) (AIIKS) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
This follows the visit by Elias M. Magosi, SADC Executive Secretary, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Centre, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban.
There, he met with Prof. H.O. Kaya, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation–National Research Foundation (DSTI-NRF) Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Coordinator of AIIKS.
The visit is ahead of the SADC Public Lecture, scheduled for Friday, by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as SADC Chairperson.
Magosi said Indigenous knowledge is an important regional asset that must be preserved, documented and passed on to future generations.
Once realised, the centre is expected to bolster youth innovation and digital technologies to contribute to regional industrialisation, food security, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Prof. Kaya and the AIIKS team presented the Institute’s vision of linking Indigenous Knowledge Systems with contemporary science, technology and innovation.
The presentation highlighted AIIKS as the place where researchers, communities and Indigenous knowledge holders, collaborate to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
Picture: Supplied