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Preservation of indigenous knowledge amongst the Hlubi nation through social media technologies
Author(s)
Ndlela, Akhona
Date Issued
2022
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Indigenous knowledge (IK), diverse narratives and heritage of marginalised communities in
the institutions of memory, such as cultural archives, are inadequate. The lack of diversification
and inclusion of the archive result in a risk of information loss and inconsistency in the archive.
It is unclear how social media can effectively be used to digitise cultural activities and history
of marginalised indigenous communities.
The study focused on answering the following research questions: i) What are the challenges
faced by indigenous marginalised communities in using social media technologies (SMTs) for
the preservation of IK? ii) How can SMTs be used to enhance the preservation of IK?
The aim of the study was to explore how the indigenous people can use SMTs to aid the
capturing of information about their culture and history for the future and for further
representation in the cultural archives. An interpretivist epistemological paradigm was
followed. The study used an exploratory methodology. The target population (19) of this study
were members of the Hlubi nation organised under the Mthimkhulu Cultural Institute (MCI)
based in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using non-probability sampling, the sample frame
comprised members of the community affiliated to MCI. Data were collected using semistructured
interviews and the data were analysed using a thematic analysis method.
The study followed strict ethics to guarantee that integrity and moral standards were upheld
throughout, as mandated by CPUT. The MCI and the research subjects both gave their written
consent to participate in the study.
The study contributes to existing knowledge on cultural preservation discourse. The study
provides information to social scientists and policymakers to better understand how traditional
rural marginalised communities can use SMTs in the preservation of their IK, culture and
histories.
The results indicate that although social media technologies provide the benefits of being able
to capture, store and disseminate indigenous knowledge, the findings show that the
implementation of SMTs may require major technological and skills development and
investment before the benefits of SMTs can be realised by indigenous communities.
the institutions of memory, such as cultural archives, are inadequate. The lack of diversification
and inclusion of the archive result in a risk of information loss and inconsistency in the archive.
It is unclear how social media can effectively be used to digitise cultural activities and history
of marginalised indigenous communities.
The study focused on answering the following research questions: i) What are the challenges
faced by indigenous marginalised communities in using social media technologies (SMTs) for
the preservation of IK? ii) How can SMTs be used to enhance the preservation of IK?
The aim of the study was to explore how the indigenous people can use SMTs to aid the
capturing of information about their culture and history for the future and for further
representation in the cultural archives. An interpretivist epistemological paradigm was
followed. The study used an exploratory methodology. The target population (19) of this study
were members of the Hlubi nation organised under the Mthimkhulu Cultural Institute (MCI)
based in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using non-probability sampling, the sample frame
comprised members of the community affiliated to MCI. Data were collected using semistructured
interviews and the data were analysed using a thematic analysis method.
The study followed strict ethics to guarantee that integrity and moral standards were upheld
throughout, as mandated by CPUT. The MCI and the research subjects both gave their written
consent to participate in the study.
The study contributes to existing knowledge on cultural preservation discourse. The study
provides information to social scientists and policymakers to better understand how traditional
rural marginalised communities can use SMTs in the preservation of their IK, culture and
histories.
The results indicate that although social media technologies provide the benefits of being able
to capture, store and disseminate indigenous knowledge, the findings show that the
implementation of SMTs may require major technological and skills development and
investment before the benefits of SMTs can be realised by indigenous communities.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2022
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