When Science Becomes Relevant

Abstract

This chapter explores the use of indigenous knowledge for empowerment purposes. The White Angels Yoghurt and Dairy business in Molepolole, a wholly women owned business relied on indigenous knowledge of science with no formal scientific school background. The owners of this business have low education; they stay in a rural area and are poor. Their efforts are noteworthy as a symbol of women's empowerment that has relied on indigenous knowledge of milk pasteurisation and sweetening, a cultural tradition that Batswana have practiced for years. Their business has also demonstrated that combining indigenous knowledge with the current scientific and technological know-how can sustain and yield more gains for the business. Empowerment here can thus be defined as the ability to combine local/indigenous resources and current scientific knowledge and technologies to propel success and more gains from an empowerment project.