Inhibitors of indigenous knowledge systems-led rural village development in South Africa

Abstract

This chapter discusses the factors that militate against the development of Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS)-led Smart Rural Village (SRV) in South Africa. The centrality of IKS and SRV in the discourse demands lucid definitions of the two terminologies to better put the chapter into context. Defined as the unique knowledge of traditional people in specified geographic location or of common genetic origin, IKS is not written but transferred from older to younger generation by word of mouth. A Smart Rural Village signifies a rural village that is self-reliant and self-sufficient in its social, economic, technological, and development infrastructure. The major factors that could inhibit IKS-led SRV development in South Africa are found to include the demeaning colonial mentality and religious intolerance that branded IKS fetish and primitive; demise of knowledge holders that led to premature obliteration of vital knowledge systems; failure to integrate traditional and allopathic medical practices; spatial and social disconnect between older and younger generations; and gender imbalances that favour patriarchal policy in IKS acquisition and transfer. Notwithstanding these inhibitors, South Africa holds distinguishing prospects for SRV development given her aggressive investment in IKS research and commercialisation for which the Rooibos and Marula breakthroughs are legendry.