M U N I C I P A L I T I E S KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT LEARNING EXCHANGE

Transcription

1 T H E V ATheme L U E heading P R Oinsert P O S I T I O N O F I K S I N M U N I C I P A L I T I E S KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT LEARNING EXCHANGE

2 Presentation Outline 1. South Africa s Quest for IKS 2. A Few IKS Definitions 3. DST s Approach to the Knowledge Economy 4. Knowledge Economy 5. Case Study 6. Value Proposition

3 A Few IKS Definitions Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) is human experiences, organized and ordered into accumulated knowledge with the objective to utilize it to achieve quality of life and to create a livable environment for both human and other forms of life (Serote; 2001). IKS is the local knowledge that, which is unique to a given culture or society. It is the basis for local-level decision making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural resource management and a host of other activities in local and rural communities (Osarome; 2011). IKS encompasses the skills, experiences and insights of people, applied to maintain or improve their livelihood. The basic component of any country s knowledge system is its indigenous knowledge. (World Bank; 1997).

4 South Africa s Quest for IKS IKS viewed as a primitive, barbaric notion in society Myths about indigenous world views, cultures, language, beliefs, and ways of knowing Western knowledge glorified as a the ONLY way of knowing... The articulation of the African Renaissance and NEPAD brought on the birthing of IKS: IKS emerged outside leading academic institutions A product of intellectual activisms of political elites Leadership was political and championed by Dr Wally Serote (Chairperson of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Portfolio committee) Historically disadvantaged universities- as champions 2004-IKS Policy approved by Cabinet NIKSO established in 2006

5 DST s approach to the Knowledge Economy KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMY

6 Bio-Economy -F2P Space Science Energy Security Global Change H&S Dynamics DST 2008 Towards a Knowledge Economy: The Policy Landscape White Paper on S&T (1996) SA National R&D Strategy (2002) National Biotechnology Strategy (2001) Indigenous Knowledge System Policy (2004) Ten Year Innovation Plan /19/2016 6

7 Knowledge Economy It is about how we use knowledge to generate tangible and intangible values. How a nation creates and harnesses knowledge in its development A nations ability to convert knowledge into innovations and wealth- a determining factor of its position among other nations The State of a nation s Research, Information Infrastructure and education is a major leading factor of its future economic and human development

8 Municipalities and IKS The Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, is a legislative framework for local government, and it introduces the developmental local government. A municipality is the local face of government craft solutions for local government problems. working together with communities in an attempt to boost economic and social upliftment in their areas. Through this Act, municipalities are required to adopt a more sustainable approach to planning and development as embraced in the Constitution, as well as in other policies and legislative enactments relevant to Local Government.

9 Municipalities should therefore take into account the communityand- the cultural based nature of IKS which is in line with the National IKS Policy (2004)- whose aspiration is to ensure that IKS is social capital for the poor for them to contribute to the sustainable improvement of their livelihood.

10 Value Proposition Knowledge is a means for creating value, whether economic or social. The business process is the link between KM and value creation: Knowledge assets Business processes Value creation Knowledge Management: How to do it well Value proposition: What is the right thing to do

11 Value Proposition- What do we mean? a promise of value that could be delivered based on IK The need to recognise IK, value it and appreciate it in developmental interaction with the local and rural communities. It is about the need to learn from IK- investigate what local communities know and have, can improve understanding of local conditions and provide a productive context for activities designed for service delivery. Sharing IK within and across communities to help enhance cross-cultural understanding and promote the cultural dimension of development. IK also goes beyond just preservation- with municipalities having a developmental role- an innovation platform is needed.

12 Case Study: Community Development through IKS Mothong African Heritage Project Traditional Healer in Mamelodi identified a dumping site located on Magaliesberg mountain as an instrument to drive effective community development through the creation of decent work while raising environmental awareness on matters of the ecosystem conservation. Site was fast becoming a criminal hotspot, the community safety matters were being threatened. (Tswhane municipality, DST, ARC, UNISA, Dept of Health) Figure 1 The state of the mountain before the intervention

13 Case Study: Community Development through IKS Apart from utelising land as recreational space, agricultural activities are undertaken where plants for traditional medicines are cultivated. Site now used for recreational and educational purposes-teaching of schoolgoing children on basic environmental sciences and indigenous knowledge associated with plant biodiversity. Besides creating jobs, alleviating poverty and empowering members of the community with knowledge, the project also shows us the importance of cultivating indigenous knowledge in order to unlock the endless potential of the South African landscape. Figure 2 The state of the mountain after the intervention

14 Value Proposition An Indigenous Knowledge Systems treasure hub for communal socio-economic development A one-stop-portal for South Africa s indigenous knowledge systems The National Recordal System Initiative

15 The National Recordal System Initiative The largest South African initiative that record, document, preserve and protect indigenous knowledge for the benefit of the communities of South Africa. Records unrecorded IK in various multi media formats, link documented IK and aim to promote community IK. Collect grassroots community experiences in local languages. Proposes both positive and defensive protection of IK. Positive: granting rights that empower communities to promote their indigenous knowledge, control its use and benefit from its commercial exploitation. Defensive: stopping external parties from acquiring intellectual property rights over indigenous knowledge

16 Preserve - (oral tradition) in most cases, older people are the owners of this knowledge and they are passing away a fragile vehicle, which could go away rapidly. Promote - trying to make the communities that hold this traditional knowledge, part of the mainstream economy. Develop - Development of IK-responsible development of IK based on a sound legal framework. Constitute/ Build an IKS network and infrastructure hinged on legal framework/policy that link research and developmental strategies at different layers of government.

17 KEY PILLAR OF NRS Key pillar of the National Recordal System (NRS) and function as hubs for activities ranging from building networks, facilitating recording, documentation, dissemination of IKS NORTH WEST Moruleng Node Hosted: Bakgatla Ba-Kgafela Traditional Administration LIMPOPO Hosted by University of Venda NORTHERN CAPE Hosted: Consortium (SASI, SASC, Komsodev) MPUMALANGA Hosted by Mpumalanga Parks & Tourism Board FREE STATE Hosted by University of the Free State KZN Hosted by University of KwaZulu-Natal & Hosted by UNIZULU Science Centre (Richards Bay) WESTERN CAPE Hosted by: Resonance Bazar Eastern Cape Hosted: University of Fort Hare

18 The NDP has a specific focus on an integrated and inclusive rural economy, and poverty alleviation. rural communities require greater social, economic and political opportunities to overcome poverty. translated into agricultural inclusion, land reform, better basic services, health care, food security, education and job creation. Localised plans, shaped to opportunities in these localities, are advocated. IKS, although not mentioned in this specific regard by the NDP, is a vehicle to fulfil some of these objectives IKS or local knowledge can assist to finding good solutions to development solutions- However, solutions must be acceptable to communities in an cultural and economic way. Being familiar with IK can assist municipalities to understand and communicate better with local and rural communities IKS already have successful ways in which communities deal with their environments

19 Knowledge is considered as a valuable commodity in the Knowledge-based Economy (KE); IKS constitutes nations heritage and has massive potential for Research Development and Innovation (RDI), social cohesion and economic development for a country; South Africa s situation at present is that a large portion of IK in oral format, not documented, scattered, fragile and unprotected; If we do not know our IK assets, develop appropriate business processes to create a value- participating in the knowledge economy is impeded and undermine social cohesion, service delivery, economic potential Until the orally transmitted and rapidly disappearing IK is collected, there will be no IK to protect or establish as a source of innovation.

20 BE PART OF BUILDING THE TREASURE HUB FOR IKS SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CBD/WIPO/ FAO PATENT OFFICES DAC DOH DAFF NSI DEA dti DTA DRDLR DST SANBI CIPC DOT SABS COGTA Local government (municipalities) Provincial government) NIKMAS IKSDC Provincial government) Local government (municipalities)

21 THANK YOU