Indigenous knowledge and science, technology, and innovation-driven systems for the healthcare industry in South Africa

Abstract

The National Innovation System (NIS) of South Africa, which is predominantly driven by Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) is entrusted to help elevate the developmental challenges faced by many South Africans. The integration of Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) into the STI-driven NIS particularly for the healthcare sector could potentially provide solutions to eradicate the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. There is, therefore, a need for a robust institutional support system for a sustainable integration of STI and IKS which could ultimately help increase grassroots innovations. It is worth noting that there is a general agreement between and amongst policymakers, scholars, and industry role payers that the performance of a country’s economy, in a globalising knowledge economy depends to a large degree, on innovation and knowledge. In order to transform and enhance the responsiveness of the STI-driven NIS of South Africa, there is a need to explore additional mechanisms on how to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and IKS into the formal STI knowledge systems. With proper policy formulation around this incorporation, South Africa can set itself on a path of development, driven by grassroots innovation for effective medicinal products that can be of benefit for the healthcare sector and South African citizens at large. This research study aims to explore the extent to which IK, which is the main ingredient of African traditional medicines Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) is integrated in the South African STI-led NIS for the healthcare system as part of addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by South Africans. The study also explores some of the challenges that that hinder the integration of IKS in the NIS of South Africa, particularly around African traditional medicine. By the use of document analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study suggests that, although there is room for improvement, there is to some extent integration of IKS in the NIS of South Africa from a policy point of view. Numerous challenges that hinder full integration of the IKS in the NIS are also discussed. The study recommends that in order for South Africa to speed track the integration of IKS in the NIS particularly for the healthcare sector, the National 3 Indigenous Knowledge System Office (NIKSO) could perhaps be upgraded into a full, independent institute or science council that primarily focusses on IKS