Indigenous knowledge systems in the 21st century: Recognising and harnessing their worth goes unapologetically against the current of Afro-pessimism that has been a harsh reality for decades under colonial and apartheid control in Africa. 

In it, like-minded, globally oriented Afrocentric scholars make a cogent case for resuscitating and supporting the indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) of Africa. They also highlight the significance of IKS both to restoring the dignity of the historically suppressed indigenous peoples and their identities, and to the sustainable development of African societies. In doing so, they identify the gaps in and limitations of effective regulation and support of the IKS in the present legal and policy frameworks, and they propose remedies. 

The volume features a variety of interlocking topics that collectively showcase the rich knowledges that constitute the IKS. These topics include: 

• the regulatory frameworks for the IKS; 
• water-based healing resources; 
• the relevance of IKS to education, research and knowledge development; and 
• identity-related questions of naming and mourning rituals. 

The wide range of themes in Indigenous knowledge systems in the 21st century: Recognising and harnessing their worth is bound to appeal to diverse audiences with an interest in IKS – not only in Africa but also in the Global South and the Global North. 

• University scholars and students, in particular, will find this volume to be an appropriate, relevant contribution to the decolonial thought system and curriculum – more especially following recent protests at universities when calls were made for education and knowledge to be decolonised. 
• Academic researchers in the Global South will also find this volume equally relevant to both teaching and further research towards strengthening the emancipatory intellectual project. 
• The volume will also appeal to government policy- and law-makers as they wrestle with refining regulatory frameworks on IKS. 
• IKS practitioners and knowledge holders, such as indigenous traditional healers and traditional authorities, should find the wide-ranging content to be an invaluable resource. 

‘This book provides an unapologetic account of the importance of IKS over colonized western knowledge systems in aspects of development not only in the African continent but in the global south. The book is providentially published at a time when the decolonization discourse predominates in 21st Century where western knowledge hegemony is being questioned.’ 

– Sultan Khan, Associate Professor 

Department of Sociology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

Part 1:  About Indigenous Knowledge Systems

• Foreword – Sihawukele Ngubane
• Poem in honour of Itumeleng S Mekoa – Pitika Ntuli
• Chapter 1: Policy And Legislative Frameworks for Indigenous Knowledge Systems in South Africa – Itumeleng S Mekoa and Mokong S Mapadimeng
• Chapter 2: African Naming System: A Case Study of the Bapedi Community in South Africa – Sekgothe Mokgoatšana and Mokong S Mapadimeng
• Chapter 3: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Industrial Development in Zimbabwe: A Critical Review – Blessing Magocha and Itumeleng Mekoa
• Chapter 4: Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development of Grassroots Communities and Rural Local Government – Ikemefuna Taire Paul Okudolo and Itumeleng Mekoa

Part 2: African Traditional Healing Resources, Practices And Rites

• Chapter 5: Recognising African Traditional Healing and Medicine in South Africa: A Case of the Traditional Health Act 22 of 2007 – Itumeleng S Mekoa
• Chapter 6: What Lies Beneath the Waters? Hidden Healing Treasures – A Preliminary Analysis – Tsholofelo Masetshaba Mosala
• Chapter 7: Water-Based Healing Treasures: An Interview with Mocholoko Zulumathabo Zulu – Interviewed by Mokong S Mapadimeng
• Chapter 8: Challenges of Mourning and Performing Burial Rites among Africans During the Covid-19 Pandemic in South Africa – Itumeleng Mekoa

Part 3: African Indigenous Knowledge and Education

• Chapter 9: Advocating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems Amid Dominant Western Scientific Thought And Development – Itumeleng Mekoa
• Chapter 10: Indigenisation of Education Through Indigenous African Languages in South Africa: An Afro-optimistic Perspective – Mokong S Mapadimeng

• University scholars and students
• Academic researchers 
• Government policy- and law-makers 
• IKS practitioners and knowledge holders including traditional authorities