INDUSTRY TALK
A route to uniting researchers and traditional knowledge holders There is a wealth of indigenous knowledge in Africa, which, coupled with best practices and products, can address various health challenges. Dr Chamunorwa Togo of the BioPark@Gauteng highlights standardisation as key to exploiting indigenous knowledge in the pharma and cosmetics industries.
W
hen one visits rural
dean at the Tshwane University of
world. It hopes to pinpoint more sources
communities and villages,
Technology’s Faculty of Science.
of indigenous knowledge and package
you’ll find practitioners with excellent solutions
By collaborating with traditional healers who use a plant derived remedy to assist
them for global consumption. It is currently providing entrepreneurial
for everyday ailments, yet we’ve not
individuals with bone and cartilage
support and interfacing with citizen
managed to commercialise and scale up
ailments, Prof Motaung has proven the
scientists, entrepreneurs and university
these solutions, to bring them to market.
traditional remedy holds bone cartilage
researchers to promote the exchange of
The BioPark@Gauteng, a business
regenerative properties. Not only has the
knowledge and wisdom. However, there is
incubator at The Innovation Hub, is
remedy offered an alternative treatment
a need to understand the complex system
working with traditional knowledge holders
solution to individuals lacking access to
of intellectual property and how to protect
and researchers to bring both parties
conventional medicine, it’s also inspired
it along with the business models of these
together. Its main aim is to harmonise and
Prof Motaung to launch a complementary
citizen scientists, to facilitate conversations
standardise the centuries old information
health product, La-Africa Soother.
and product standardisation.
to address safety issues and guarantee quality standards.
Knowledge brought to life Instead of subjugating and rejecting
The wealth of indigenous knowledge can
A humble approach focused on
also be seen in various cosmetics and beauty
recognising the efforts of traditional
products on the market, including Portia M
practitioners is paramount to address
Skin Solutions, Phepisa, Dermacell, K-squared.
some of challenges faced by humankind.
Nutraceutical brands harnessing the
This should be complemented by
indigenous knowledge as witchcraft, we
benefits of indigenous knowledge include
building confidence in the industry and
should embrace and harness its value.
Dikgabane consulting and Lefakong, while
not waiting for someone else to endorse
One valuable example is the work of
the beverage product, Royal Mabundu
our work. Opening up training systems
and condiments from Makhamisa Foods,
and allowing for the integration of
are also based on indigenous knowledge.
different ways of knowledge generation
DID YOU KNOW?
Professor Shirley Motaung, a biomedical
scientist The BioPark@Gauteng provides business development and the support to start-ups in the fields assistant of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, indigenous knowledge-based nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and cosmetics. The support is provided in collaboration with Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and eGoliBio Life Sciences Incubator.
can go a long way in harnessing
Moving in the right direction
traditional knowledge. Without taking
The BioPark@Gauteng is determined to
bold steps in the right direction, we may
take Africa’s indigenous knowledge to the
run the risk of remaining the proverbial hunter who kept looking for a kudu hidden in water while he was holding the horns and drinking from the same pond. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr Chamunorwa Togo is the general manager for bio economy at The Innovation Hub. He has extensive research experience and a strong background in biotechnology and general life sciences. Some of his areas of interest include bridging the gap between the laboratory and market, and the commercialisation of indigenous knowledge-based products.
The Innovation Hub – www.theinnovationhub.com
P C Review | JANUARY 2020 | 11
