Although the importance of Indigenous Knowledge systems has been recognised by international organisations, such as the United Nations and World Bank, the role of Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction has to date not received the attention it deserves in South Africa.
Abstract
This paper reports a portion of findings of a large research project that sought to
understand social helping and healing practices that have arisen in the post-genocide
contexts that could inform social work education and practice in Rwanda. A team of
Canadian and Rwandan researchers used a community-based and collaborative practice
The Girinka (one-cow-per-poor-family) program was created in response to the extreme malnutrition that plagued more than half of the poorest citizens in the Republic of Rwanda prior to 2006. Rwanda’s traditional wealth creation and distribution system of cow-giving served as a platform for the creation of Girinka.
Concerns regarding the conservation of medicinal plant species are receiving much attention due to overharvesting
and exploitation. Medicinal plant harvesting is a global concern as plants are the source of the majority
of medicines, either traditional or western, in the world. Millions of U.S. dollars of plant material are being
Agrobiodiversity is already proving to be important in helping rural communities and farmers throughout the world adapt to climate change. Diversity (genetic, species and ecosystem) in production systems can improve adaptability and resilience and is an essential part of adaptation to changing production conditions.
I believe that every plant on Earth has a purpose”, says Barry Koopman to his son Berty when asked about traditional use of plants found in the veld. Berty is one of six young people traversing the Suid-Bokkeveld to visit community elders. They hope to learn about local indigenous knowledge, some of it going back to times when Khoisan people lived entirely off the productivity of Nature.
– This article responds to a call for rethinking the science that we teach to school learners in South Africa. Much of the debate on the nature of science and science learning is reflected in a body of literature which analyses the tensions between disparate perspectives on science education.
South Africa has a number of policies to protect and promote indigenous knowledge (IK). The increasing interest in research into indigenous knowledge and science education in southern Africa has led not only to the production of publications, but also to numerous conferences, seminars, research centres, projects, learning materials, and postgraduate courses.
Understanding the uses of indigenous plants that are of economic importance to local communities is very much important in rural development strategies. The Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) Anacardiaceae family is widely used.
