On 17 November 2025, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) convened a Strategic Institutional Engagement at the Faculty of Health Sciences boardroom, focusing on advancing Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) within national research and innovation frameworks.
The programme featured key contributions from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), highlighting strategic pillars, institutional alignment with the Decadal Plan, and opportunities for collaboration over the next five years.
Prof Takalani Mashau, Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education
The engagement was opened by Prof Takalani Mashau, the Deputy Dean: Research and Post-graduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education who framed the dialogue around collaboration and strategic alignment. His emphasis on the Decadal Plan sig-nalled a clear institutional commitment to embedding Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) with-in innovation pathways for sustainable development.
Prof Hassan Kaya, Director of the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CEIKS)
“Excellence must also contain relevance,” he stressed, underscoring the need for science and technology to be accessible and impactful.
Ms Shumi Rodolo, Deputy Director: Advocacy and Policy Development at the Department of Science, Tech-nology and Innovation (DSTI)
Policy insights from Ms Shumi Rodolo, Deputy Director: Advocacy and Policy Development at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), reinforced the structural backbone of IKS in South Africa. Grounded in national instruments such as the National Development Plan, the 2004 IKS Policy, and the Indigenous Knowledge Act of 2019, her perspective advocates for an equitable interface between indigenous and conventional knowledge systems, the institutionali-sation of IKS, and mission-driven research.
Her assertion “Indigenous knowledge is solutions” captured the essence of the day, leveraging indigenous wisdom to confront societal challenges from health to food security and climate re-silience.
Mr Nathan Sassman, Manager at the National Research Foundation (NRF)
In his presentation on Centres of Excellence and National Institutes for Research, Development and Innovation, Mr Nathan Sassman, Manager at the National Research Foundation (NRF), called for a fundamental mindset shift. “If you do not occupy this space, somebody else will,” he em-phasised. He highlighted the need to reimagine South Africa’s innovation landscape, leveraging Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for societal impact, and positioning the country as a global leader. Sassman emphasised collaboration, inclusivity, and ambitious planning, pointing to po-tential institutes like the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Bio Innovation Institute. further stressed the need to transform current ways of working. This includes improving access to funding and investing in the development of local talent, particularly women in STEM. “It is about multidimen-sional transformation,” he noted, urging attendees to think beyond conventional boundaries and to tap into the significant economic potential of IKS, such as traditional medicine’s estimated R250 billion annual contributions.
Prof Jabulani Makhubele, Director of Research and Innovation
Prof Jabulani Makhubele, Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Venda (UNI-VEN), presented on behalf of Prof Fulufhelo Godfrey Netswera, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Re-search and Postgraduate Studies, outlining UNIVEN’s strategic alignment with the Decadal Plan. Leveraging its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve location, UNIVEN focuses on engaged scholarship, transformative education, and research in One Health and African Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), addressing local challenges in health, agriculture, and biodiversity. The University offers postgraduate programmes in African Studies and promotes entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Coach Lab training, aiming to enhance IKS research, innovation, and partnerships over the next five years.
The engagement concluded with a guided tour of the University of Venda’s Indigenous Knowl-edge Systems (IKS) facilities, providing participants with a firsthand look at the resources and infrastructure that drive research and innovation. This Strategic Institutional Engagement under-scored UNIVEN’s commitment to integrating indigenous knowledge into transformative educa-tion and sustainable development initiatives.
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Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
