Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to share this moment with you. In 2004, almost 10 years ago, Cabinet approved the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy. Two years later, the DST established the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office, which organised this gathering.
Since 2002 indigenous knowledge systems or IKS have been formally recognised as important for both the economy and the participation of communities in knowledge production and utilisation. The potential of IKS in the National System of Innovation was highlighted in the National Research and Development Strategy.
The DST has supported IKS-based research, development and for almost 10 years now. It has also provided leadership in various advocacy and public awareness initiatives and, last month, we celebrated the launch of the National Recordal System to document IKS in its various forms.
In 2007, we initiated the IKS Bioprospecting and Product Development Platform to identify and add value to products, processes and services inspired by indigenous knowledge holders and practitioners. In order to encourage collaboration, we included various indigenous knowledge-based communities of practice, universities, science councils and government departments in our plans. We have successfully facilitated collaboration between previously antagonistic and competitive stakeholders in a partnership model unique to South Africa.
As part of mainstreaming IKS, the Bioprospecting platform has focused on African traditional medicines, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. The development and manufacture of high-end products in these three areas are intended to meet both the economic and the social needs of the stakeholders. They will assist in alleviating poverty through the creation of businesses, and improving people's quality of life by developing affordable medicines based on indigenous knowledge.
For the past few years we used the law of contract as a governance model while we developed a more comprehensive consortium agreement. We sought the services of legal experts in various law firms, including the legal units in our partner organisations, to assist us in developing an IKS consortium agreement. The time it has taken to develop and agree on this overarching agreement has been well invested, and today we will finally be signing the agreement.
Ladies and gentleman, South Africa, like many countries, has a history of intellectual property misappropriation by both individuals and organisations. With a few notable exceptions, it is unfortunate that many big corporations continue to ignore their moral and legal obligations to seek prior informed consent and to share benefits that result from their use of the knowledge and genetic resources of indigenous communities.
The signing of this agreement today is a demonstration of the commitment of South African research and education institutions, communities and emerging businesses to work together for the benefit of our communities.
The IKS Bioprospecting and Product Development Platform provide the basis for on-going work in the areas of medicines, health, nutrition, food technology, agroprocessing, cosmetics and beauty.
A case in point is that of the cosmeceuticals group, which has successfully developed candidate products that are now ready for commercialisation. The model of commercialisation will ensure that communities benefit from shared intellectual property and the related cultivation and agroprocessing initiatives.
At the exhibition you will see anti-balding and anti-wrinkle products developed by a team of scientists and knowledge holders led by the CSIR. Another team led by the University of Pretoria has developed a skin toner and a sunscreen, which are due to be launched later in the year. These are products that will now have to be marketed and popularised to establish a niche market.
The African traditional medicines group is involved with four preclinical studies in respect of treatments for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and diabetes – all key priorities for government.
The nutraceuticals group is working on a wide range of value-added health and nutrition products, some of which are ready to be commercialised in partnership with Nestlé and other major retailers in South Africa.
In terms of the agreement we are signing today, these products will offer opportunities for communities to benefit directly from the proceeds of sales, as well as from the royalties generated on the intellectual property. A range of food products, like canned relishes, baking mixes, iced teas, nutrition shakes, pestos, soups and infusions, are on the exhibition tables.
There are also teams working on two indigenous teas. We are in the final stages of product optimisation studies for these local teas, which have medicinal and nutritional applications. There are tea projects at the planning phase of cultivation and agroprocessing at community level in Mokgola, outside Zeerust, and Genadendal in the Western Cape.
A final example of work in progress is that of the Moringa group, which has developed SABS-approved supplements in capsule form, soups, food ingredients, tea bags, iced teas and, most recently, Moringa vitamin water. We are supporting farming activities in Atteridgeville in Tshwane, Tooseng in Limpopo and KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are excited to demonstrate our commitment to IKS and inclusive innovation by launching this IKS Bioprospecting and Product Development Platform. We are also grateful to all participating organisations. We now invite members of the various groups to sign the IKS Bioprospecting and Product Development Consortium Agreement.
Congratulations to all the signing institutions.
Thank you!
