Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal and Food Plant Uses for Sustainable Community Livelihoods: A Case of Batswana Communities in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayashree Chinsamy ◽  
Motheo Koitsiwe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Food Plant ◽  
Sustainable Community ◽  
Plant Uses

Accelerating the implementation of SDG 4: stakeholder perceptions towards initiation of sustainable community engagement projects by higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lombuso Precious Shabalala ◽  
Sisa Ngcwangu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Stakeholder Perceptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Community

Purpose This paper aims to present the results of an investigation on how a reciprocal relationship between the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) in South Africa and the surrounding communities can be used to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4). The aim of this paper is to establish stakeholder perceptions on the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the development and implementation of sustainable community engagement (CE) projects geared towards the acceleration of SDG 4. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was adopted. This consisted of a presentation at UMP, an educational tour of the campus and discussion sessions with 3 education officials and 19 high schools representatives from Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Content and narrative analysis were used to analyse the data obtained during the discussions. Findings The key findings indicate that a reciprocal relationship between HEIs and their surrounding communities can be used to accelerate the implementation of SDG 4 by positioning HEIs to take the lead with initiatives and implementation of CE projects. Research limitations/implications For HEIs to be in a better position to take a leading role in CE, they must guide without imposing, else it may lead to stakeholders losing interest. Practical implications The importance of a mutual working relationship between HEIs and communities becomes paramount, as it may lead to the realisation and acceleration of SDG 4 through CE. It is suggested that HEIs prioritise CE and also involve communities from the conceptualisation of any project. Originality/value The paper raises awareness and demonstrates the importance and possibilities of using CE towards the acceleration of the implementation of SDG 4 by HEIs.

Sharing Traditional Knowledge: Who benefits? Cases from India, Nigeria, Mexico and South Africa

2013 ◽  
pp. 65-93
Author(s):  
Julie Cook Lucas ◽  
Doris Schroeder ◽  
Roger Chennells ◽  
Sachin Chaturvedi ◽  
Dafna Feinholz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Knowledge

Listening to Oral Traditions in a Re-searching for Praxis in a Non-western Context

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Marie Eskell-Blokland
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Literary Theory ◽  
Oral Tradition ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Academic Context ◽  
Alternative Position

The relevance and appropriateness of western oriented psychology in practice and research is a concern in developing and non-western contexts. It is difficult to address this problem from any alternative position other than the western academic frame if one is situated in a tertiary educational institution in South Africa. In acknowledgement, this article explores the academic context including some local voices from the field in a search for possible congruent research methodologies, which may echo knowledge systems of the traditions of the local context in South Africa and its broader context in the continent. Constraining factors to the development of an appropriate praxis have been suggested to include epistemological issues, western academic hegemony and the perceived elitism of psychology as a discipline. In particular, this article explores the adoption of a narrative literary stance for research in psychology. Literary theory and discussions of the narrative from Bakhtin's writings are drawn on in an attempt to bridge a perceived epistemological divide between local traditional knowledge systems and western academia. From this perspective the oral tradition of Africa is considered at the interface of local and western knowledge around healing /helping traditions.

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