Government support for indigenous knowledge for sustainability in Southern Africa

Background: Government support for the use of indigenous knowledge (IK) for sustainable livelihoods assists in the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The integration of IK into formal development frameworks has been hindered by institutional barriers or a lack of policy recognition. Objectives: The study sought to assess how the governments of South Africa and Zimbabwe support the use of IK to sustain livelihoods. Method: A qualitative case study approach was used. Data were gathered through interviews and document analysis. Interviews were conducted with government officials and two were chosen from each department or ministry using purposive sampling, and a total of 10 participants were part of the study. The national development plans (NDPs) and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) policies were analysed to gather information on government support for the use of IK for sustainable livelihoods. Thematic analysis and content analysis were the approaches to data analysis. Results: The findings show that the South African government had implemented various mechanisms to support the use of IK for sustainable livelihoods while little efforts were made in Zimbabwe. Conclusion: The South African government formulated policies that support the use of IK to sustain livelihoods, while IK policy formulation and implementation in Zimbabwe was not evident. Contribution: The research adds to the conversation about the importance of acknowledging IK and promoting its incorporation into development interventions and policy frameworks that can help governments leverage the potential of indigenous communities as keepers of priceless knowledge and guardians of sustainable livelihoods.