The National Indigenous Knowledge Management System

The National IK Registration System formerly known as the National Recordal System and the National IK Management System (NIKMAS), represents an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platform for the management of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) as governed by the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Act No 6 of 2019. The IK Registration System is the technology platform that is connected to IKS Documentation Centres that support communities to record their indigenous knowledge. The IK information accessed and published through the national IK Registration System has ownership vested in communities. Accessing these through the IK Registration System requires permission and authorisation. Click here for more information

Future systems that will be available via the NIKSO Portal include the IK Register of Designations.

Highlights

Summary



*IKSDC - Indigenous Knowledge Systems Documentation Centre

Full Details


NIKMAS Fast Facts

Operations provided by NIKMAS are as follows:


Explore indigenous knowledge (IK)
  • African Traditional Medicine
  • Food Security


Pharmacopoeia

The Pharmacopoeia is a prior art database which holds information on the use, quality, efficacy and safety of traditional African medicines in South Africa. The database draws on published resources on plants, its botanical distribution and its uses for medicinal purposes, which are digitised to provide information, cross-referencing and research outputs for use by researchers, community members, traditional healers and a wide range of global users. This database is not intended for medical or health advice and may not be used as a substitute for professional consultation from experts. Click here for more information

Featured Plant

Portulacaria afra Jacq.

Portulacaria afra is an erect, robust, densely branched and soft-wooded succulent evergreen shrub or small tree which usually reaches a height of about 3 metres. The bark is smooth and shiny and the branches are brittle with jointed nodes. Twigs are reddish-brown while older bark becomes progressively grey and wrinkled withage. The small, round, fleshy leaves often have distinctive reddish margins and almost no stalk. Leaves have an astringent, lemony taste and are thirst quenching. Masses of star-shaped small pink flowers are borne in profusion on the stems. Flowers develop into small winged pendant, translucent and glossy pink fruits.

References:

1 Van Wyk, B-E. and Gericke, N. (2007). People’s plants: a guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria.

2 Wikipedia (2015). Portulacaria afra

Operations provided by Pharmacopoeia are as follows: