Collaboration Opportunities in Indigenous Knowledge Systems between DAC and DST

2. AREAS OF COLLABORATION AND POSSIBLE FUTURE COLLABORATION IN IKS BETWEEN DAC AND DST Mogege Mosimege Indigenous Knowledge Systems Unit Department of Science and Technology

3. IKS IN DACST • Financial support of the First National Workshop on IKS held at University of North West in Mafikeng in September 1998 • Establishment of Ministerial task team to Draft Legislation and Policy on IKS in 1999: Team headed by Prof Catherine Odora-Hoppers • Delegations by Task Team to India and China in 1999 – 2000 to learn about IKS in the two countries • Provision of ring-fenced funding to the NRF for research in IKS since 2000 • Establishment of Unit dedicated to IKS in the Science and Technology Branch of the Department of Arts, Culture Science and Technology in 2001

4. KEY POLICY DRIVERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT • Affirmation of African cultural values in the face of globalisation • Development of the services provided by Indigenous Knowledge Holders and Practitioners • Contribution of indigenous knowledge to the economy • Interfacing with other knowledge systems

5. Key Driver 1: Affirmation of African cultural values in the face of globalization: Lead Department – Arts and Culture • Redress • The recognition and protection of indigenous knowledge and IKS in South Africa for cultural reasons. • Knowledge institutions created during the apartheid era and before it are still in the process of being transformed to give expression to an African intellectual personality. • The Policy seeks to creatively advance the course of IKS within the context of complex economic, social and cultural rights.

6. Globalisation: Role of DAC • With South Africa’s re-entry into the global arena, there are both opportunities and challenges for the prudent management of IKS. • An indicator of the serious effect of globalisation is the rapid attrition of language diversity across the world. • IKS policy framework places great emphasis on the promotion of international linkages in IKS from the perspective of sharing best practice and commitment to common objectives

7. POSSIBLE COLLABORATION IN MUSEUMS • There are over 400 museums receiving public money in South Africa • Museums are an entry point and collection area for most indigenous and local communities’ cultural history. • The transformation of museums should include indigenous and local communities in research, interpretation and display of material. • DST and DAC can work together to reflect and transform the role of museums with respect to IKS

8. INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON IKS Interdepartmental Committee on IKS – has been in place since 2002 • Department of Trade and Industry • Department of Arts and Culture • Department of Agriculture • Department of Health • Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism • Department of Education • Department of Foreign affairs • Department of Land Affairs • Department of Provincial and Local Government • Department of Water Affairs and Forestry • Department of Sports and Recreation Invitations have been extended to the Department of Communications and the Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs as recommended by Cabinet in November 2004

9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH RESPECT TO POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES IN IKS • DAC: Folklore; Traditional Music and Dance, Cultural Artifacts; Language • DOH: Traditional Healing (Traditional Health Practitioners’ Bill) • NDA: Agriculture • DEAT: Biodiversity (Biodiversity Act) • DTI: Intellectual Property; Commercial Activities • DOE: Curriculum Development and Implications • DST: Innovation; Interfacing with other Knowledge Systems; Advocacy; Coordination of IKS Activities at Departmental Level, Nationally, and Internationally • DPLG: Governance of Traditional Leaders (Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Bill) • DFA: Indigenous Peoples • DLA: Issues of Land • DSR: Indigenous Games • DWAF: Forests and related developments Importance of integration between different Departments - Interdepartmental Committee on IKS

10. ROLE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE • Meet on average once in 3 months to discuss matters related to IKS • Policies and Legislation that that are being developed by individual departments and make inputs; At times distribute documents within departments and collate inputs. Examples: Biodiversity Act (DEAT); IKS Policy (DST); Traditional Health Practitioners Bill (DOH) • Make presentations on Departmental activities on IKS and identify possible areas of collaboration and support

11. COLLABORATION IN THE AREA OF FUNDING • DST and DAC jointly funded iIKSSA in the 2002 – 2003 financial year • IKS Funds at the NRF presently provided by DST. DAC may play a role in either committing to fund specific aspects • Funding of individual projects in DAC and DST: Some of the projects that have been funded by DST are: • Development of a National Programme for the Innovation of Indigenous Technologies (CSIR) • Importance of indigenous knowledge in reducing poverty in rural agragrian households (HSRC) • Research and Development Initiative: Herbal Medicines Manufacturing Commercialization Facility for Poverty Alleviation Projects (MRC) • Female Leadership Principles in Southern Africa: The cosmology of the Modjadji Queenship (Kara Heritage Institute)