By Mokgothu Phenyo and Motsamai Gofaone

Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are receiving growing academic recognition as a valid and valuable body of knowledge. An important factor in this is the contribution of scholars such as Dr Monicca Thulisile Bhuda, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU).

She has recently co-edited two academic books on IKS, both published by IGI Global, headquartered in the United States, and accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa.

The titles are Resurgence and Revalorization of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Contemporary Society and Revaluation and Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Modern Society. Dr Bhuda edited them in collaboration with Prof Tlou Maggie Masenya of the Durban University of Technology.

The books highlight the relevance of IKS in addressing contemporary social, environmental and economic challenges. Topics covered include epistemic diversity, indigenous curricula, food security, biocultural community protocols and intellectual property rights within indigenous contexts.

Integrating IKS into broader discourses

“Indigenous knowledge holds solutions rooted in local realities. It is time we revalue and integrate these systems into broader academic and development discourses,” says Dr Bhuda.

The publications serve as resources for scholars, policymakers, educators, environmentalists and indigenous communities seeking inclusive approaches to sustainability and cultural preservation.

Dr Bhuda is currently a lecturer in culture and heritage and coordinates a programme on African identities, heritage and history at the University of Mpumalanga. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences with a focus on IKS from the NWU, where she also co-supervises master’s students.

Recognised as a national expert in IKS by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, Dr Bhuda serves on South Africa’s national panel of experts in the field. In 2023, she received a Voice of Heritage Award from the National Heritage Council and an Alumni Excellence Award from the NWU in the education category.

Her contributions to IKS have also gained her national media visibility, with appearances on television, radio and in academic publications.

“These books are part of a broader effort to mainstream indigenous perspectives in education and policy. They reflect the richness of African knowledge systems and their potential to guide future development,” she says.

NWU alumnus Dr Monicca Thulisile Bhuda co-edited these two academic books on IKS.