Translating Indigenous Knowledge into Actionable Climate-Change Adaption Strategies: A Case Study of Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, Free State Province, South Africa

Shadreck Muchaku (), Grey Magaiza and Hamisai Hamandawana
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Shadreck Muchaku: Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa
Grey Magaiza: Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa
Hamisai Hamandawana: ARU-Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: Although the literature concerning vulnerabilities to climate change (CC) has been growing, research continues to be silent on approaches that can enhance the adaptive capacities of resource-poor communities that are vulnerable to the adverse effects of CC by translating indigenous knowledge (IK) into actionable adaptation strategies. This assertion is premised on the absence of concerted efforts to incorporate IK into science-based adaptation strategies. We attempt to address this gap by using a multidisciplinary investigative approach that taps into the perceptions of local people in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality in the Free state province of South Africa and what is available in the literature. This approach is helpful because it ensures that local people’s perceptions, alongside other objectively informed insights, are systematically integrated into the co-designing of actionable climate-change adaption strategies. Given these and other considerations, we invite the scientific community and those interested in sustainability to complement our efforts by providing suggestions on the way forward.

Keywords: climate change adaption; coping strategies; local communities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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