DINEO GLORIA NKEJANE

Second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges / Deuxième cohorte du programme de Bourses africaines pour la recherche sur les savoirs autochtones et alternatifs (AFRIAK) .

Affliation: University of the Free State, South Africa

Discipline: Community Development

Country / Pays: South Africa

Project Title / Titre du projet: A phenomenological exploration of community-based strategies to address water scarcity in Tsheseng Village

Biographie / Biography: I am currently employed as the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Documentation Centre (IKSDC) Coordinator at the University of the Free State, Free State Province, South Africa. In this role, I am responsible for coordinating initiatives that document, preserve, and promote indigenous knowledge systems within the province. My work involves engaging with local communities, traditional leaders, and knowledge holders to identify, record, and systematize valuable indigenous practices and cultural heritage. Through this engagement, I facilitate participatory workshops, community consultations, and outreach programs aimed at raising awareness about the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge.
As part of my coordination duties, I manage the documentation process, ensuring that data collected from communities is accurately recorded, stored, and made accessible for research, educational, and policy purposes. I also collaborate with academic staff, postgraduate students, and other stakeholders to integrate indigenous knowledge into research projects and teaching programs. Additionally, I support the development of digital and physical archives, contribute to policy development on indigenous knowledge protection, and oversee reporting and compliance requirements related to national documentation initiatives.
This position has strengthened my skills in project management, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. It allows me to work at the intersection of academic research and community development, ensuring that indigenous knowledge is not only preserved but also applied to sustainable development initiatives. My current engagement positions me to contribute meaningfully to AFRIKAK’s mission of advancing African-centered research, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable solutions grounded in local knowledge systems.