Indigenous Data and Knowledge Sovereignty Amidst Technological Dynamics: Reflections on Selected Southern African Indigenous Communities

Abstract

This chapter examines narrative literature review concerning the indigenous data and knowledge sovereignty in the context of Southern African indigenous communities amidst technological dynamics. The study was also guided by the following research objectives: examine indigenous data and knowledge sovereignty among Southern African indigenous communities, examine national and international initiatives for data and knowledge sovereignty among indigenous communities, determine the role of intellectual property rights in the protection of indigenous data and knowledge, and suggest recommendations to enhance indigenous people's rights to data and knowledge sovereignty. Social Contract Theory (SCT) was also employed to underpin this study as it embraces the notion that a person's moral, political or legal responsibilities are reliant on their establishment of regulations or ideals that guide their society.