Paper short abstract:

Exploring how South African digital influencers aid indigenous knowledge preservation, revealing complexities and ethical considerations in archiving on digital platforms.

Paper long abstract:

This case study delves into the realm of indigenous knowledge archiving within the context of Indigenous Knowledge System Documentation Centers (IKSDCs), libraries, and the National Recorder System in South Africa, examining the impact of emerging digital influencers. In a rapidly globalizing world, preserving indigenous wisdom and cultural heritage faces challenges requiring innovative approaches. This research explores how digital influencers, using online platforms and social media reach, significantly contribute to documenting, disseminating, and preserving indigenous knowledge.

Employing a qualitative research scheme, a multiple case study approach was adopted. Structured online interviews, literature review, and online web resource analysis constituted the data collection methods. The study's population encompassed staff from selected institutions, with purposive sampling targeting coordinators, managers of indigenous knowledge, archivists, curator officers, professional social group administrators, and online resource collection administrators.

The findings reveal intricate dynamics among influencers, indigenous communities, and digital spaces. They uncover opportunities, complexities, and ethical considerations tied to utilizing digital platforms for indigenous knowledge archiving in South Africa. This study’s insights contribute to the discourse on safeguarding and promoting indigenous wisdom in the digital era while honoring cultural integrity and authenticity.