Several University of Venda (UNIVEN) staff and students participated at the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Investment Summit that was organised by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. This Investment Summit took place from 2-4 June 2026 at Birchwood Hotel’s OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg.
Summit participants during the official opening
This national platform brought together emerging scholars, innovators, investors, and key industry partners who explored the way Indigenous Knowledge (IK) could shape technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
The summit was designed to elevate the role of Indigenous knowledge in socio-economic development and industrialisation. Students, knowledge holders, and SMMEs were offered opportunities to showcase their businesses, present research, share innovations, and engage in high-level discussions with policymakers, funding bodies, Industries and innovation agencies. Participants also gained exposure to important processes such as intellectual property management, commercialisation pathways, and technology transfer essential tools for transforming Indigenous Knowledge into viable, real-world impact.
Some of the participants from UNIVEN
During the summit, students and staff members who are involved in areas such as Indigenous health, agriculture, conservation, arts and culture, governance, African traditional medicine, or the application of digital technologies to IK participated in this summit through delivering research presentations, innovation dialogues, business pitching sessions, and structured networking with potential partners and investors.
Dr Kenny Tenza, the Acting Director General (DDG), at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
(DSTI)
In his welcome address, Dr Kenny Tenza mentioned that the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Innovation Investment Summits have shown to be yielding best economic boost globally. He said that IK is the future of African economic boost. Dr Tenza continued to high-light that this inaugural summit was organised by young people and creators of employment to get information on how to expand their businesses. This summit assisted young people to open and run indigenous knowledge-based organisations that will create jobs.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate Studies
In his response as a hosting partner, Prof Fulufhelo Netswera highlighted that our elders in villages no longer save seeds for ploughing during rainy seasons. He said when it is time to plough, people must first go to the shops to buy seeds to plough. Prof Netswera mentioned that our journey ahead is still long, therefore people should not be moving in circles about what should be done and how it should be done. He continued to mention that funds should be channelled into indigenous knowledge projects and preservation.
This symposium highlighted the importance of collaborating to achieve the intended goal. Po-tential funders and investors were also in attendance to fund companies that have promising business plans. They also assist Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) on how to sus-tain, improve and grow. There is a need to shift into entrepreneurship and to create spaces for new entrepreneurs to develop products.
During this Summit, students from various universities pitched their business plans and the winners were announced during the gala dinner that took place on Wednesday, 03 June 2026. Various speakers encouraged collaboration between indigenous knowledge-based entrepre-neurs and knowledge holders.
Dr Solomon Mabapa(left) Dr Lutendo Mathomu(right)
Dr Solomon Mabapa from UNIVEN was part of the panel discussion under the interface: Grow-ing the Nutraceuticals and Health Infusions Industries through Indigenous Knowledge-Based Innovation. Dr Lutendo Mathomu, working at UNIVEN with Bio-Nanotechnology and Drug Dis-covery also participated in a panel discussion that focused on strategies for scaling and indus-trialising Indigenous Knowledge – Based Innovation Sector while Dr Takalani Dzaga, the Direc-tor: Marketing, Branding and Communication Facilitated one of the Pitching Sessions.
During exhibition of IK products at UNIVEN stall
Investors who were present promised to visit students who pitched their business plans and products. The reason for their visit is to find the way forward on how to push these products to the shelves. However, these investors indicated that the products need to go through ap-provals from regulating bodies to avoid causing harm to consumers, especially the consum-ables and the skin care products. Compliance was at the centre of this investment summit.
This summit has indicated that there is a need to make use of Indigenous Knowledge to cre-ate jobs. Knowledge owners need to be respected. Relationships between knowledge holders and entrepreneurs must be improved to ensure that the working relationship is mutual and strengthened.
In her closing remarks of the Investment Summit, Director: Community Engagement, Entre-preneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation, Prof Vhonani Netshandama said through this Investment Summit, participants learned a lot from each other, and they have networked and connected with others. They have also made contributions and commitment to continue making sure that IKS plans are executed. “We need to keep this IK beneficiation in order to keep students and knowledge holders motivated. We need to also organise build up webinars to keep the momentum”. Prof Netshandama continued to mention that this summit afforded students opportunities to learn and challenge each other. She suggested that stu-dents need to meet at least once per quarter to share ideas, and practice entrepreneurial and innovation skills such as pitching, selling and trading. “We commit our support in ensuring that these IK projects become a success,” she concluded.
Some of the students with the DVC Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Netswera
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
