South Africa behind on its indigenous knowledge goals

Minister vows that achieving targets of 2019 legislation remains a priority

South Africa’s minister of higher education, science and innovation says his department remains committed to implementing the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Act, while admitting it has not achieved even half its goals.

The 2019 IKS Act sets out ways in which South Africa should recognise, understand, integrate and promote its indigenous knowledge resources. One of its key requirements is the creation of a National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office.