Indigenous Professions of Southern Africa
Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Futures
Indigenous Professions of Southern Africa
Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Futures
About IKS Economies
We envision an IKS Economy that nurtures thriving communities where health, dignity, and ecological integrity are central to development. Rooted in Indigenous wisdom and aligned with the global Wellbeing Economy Movement (WEM), this model shifts economic activity from profit alone to purpose; supporting livelihoods, governance, and the wellbeing of people, planet and sustainable futures.
By harnessing the green and blue economies, the IKS Economy restores soils, forests, rivers, and oceans while supporting cultural continuity, education, and food security. It redefines progress not by how fast we grow, but by how well we live, creating resilient communities where nature, culture, health, and social wellbeing thrive together
Social Impact Investors
With us, you support projects across the IKS wellbeing economy value chain, from initiatives that improve health for people and animals to innovative enterprises and resilient community programs. Your investment creates lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits, restoring ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, and scaling regenerative climate-positive solutions for communities.
Changemakers and Social Entrepreneurs
Lets collaborate to support community-led solutions that improve health for people and animals, transform Indigenous knowledge into thriving businesses, and create sustainable jobs and wellbeing. Your engagement helps scale initiatives that strengthen local economies, restore ecosystems, and build resilient communities.
Academics and Researchers
Support access for Indigenous communities and their knowledge to co-create translational research that improves health for people and animals, strengthens climate resilience, and drives sustainable development. Your work helps generate evidence-based insights that inform policy, guide innovation, and scale community-led wellbeing initiatives.
Practitioners, Institutions and Communities
With us, you support strengthening skills, connecting to markets and value chains, and achieving excellence in practice. Your work helps deliver lasting health for people and animals, restored ecosystems, and sustainable wellbeing, while building resilient institutions that scale Indigenous knowledge and solutions across communities.
Our Leadership
Mr. Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Chair)
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
CEO of the Nedlac Community Trust with over 30 years’ experience in public finance, resource tracking, and community development. He leads transformative programs across health, education, and policy sectors, partnering with governments, investors, and international organizations. Nhlanhla also serves on the South African National Skills
CEO of the Nedlac Community Trust with over 30 years’ experience in public finance, resource tracking, and community development. He leads transformative programs across health, education, and policy sectors, partnering with governments, investors, and international organizations. Nhlanhla also serves on the South African National Skills Authority, advancing inclusive skills development and sustainable impact.
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
Founder of iCamagu Health and recognised iGqirha in the Camagu Indigenous Knowledge System (C-IKS). With 20+ years’ project leadership, she advances policy advocacy for Indigenous wellbeing economies, influencing legislation and development agendas. Through IPROSA, Walter Sisulu University, and global platforms like the C20, she drives ru
Founder of iCamagu Health and recognised iGqirha in the Camagu Indigenous Knowledge System (C-IKS). With 20+ years’ project leadership, she advances policy advocacy for Indigenous wellbeing economies, influencing legislation and development agendas. Through IPROSA, Walter Sisulu University, and global platforms like the C20, she drives rural health innovation, empowering women and youth, strengthening Indigenous practitioners, and supporting enterprises that create sustainable livelihoods and ecological resilience across African communities.
iNkosi Zwelithobile kaMtirara (IPROSA Royal Council)
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
iNkosi Zwelithobile kaMtirara (IPROSA Royal Council)
Senior Chief of the abaThembu Kingdom, Chair of the Eastern Cape Royal Leaders Forum, and IPROSA’s Royal Council. A visionary Indigenous leader, he promotes Camagu Indigenous Knowledge Systems, advancing community-led health, heritage, women’s empowerment, youth development, and sustainable economic growth. He also champions indigenous men’s health programmes for the abaThembu Kingdom.
Mkz. Nomathamsanqa Mpumlwana (Head of Fund)
Mkz. Bhanekazi Mpumlwana (Head of Organisation)
iNkosi Zwelithobile kaMtirara (IPROSA Royal Council)
Finance and auditing executive with 20+ years’ expertise in corporate governance, board reporting, and strategic financial management. Provides oversight of multi-million-rand portfolios, ensures compliance with regulatory and audit standards, and drives operational efficiency. Skilled in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and build
Finance and auditing executive with 20+ years’ expertise in corporate governance, board reporting, and strategic financial management. Provides oversight of multi-million-rand portfolios, ensures compliance with regulatory and audit standards, and drives operational efficiency. Skilled in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and building accountable, transparent financial frameworks for boards and institutions.
Zwakele Mbanjwa (Data & Tech)
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Zwakele Mbanjwa (Data & Tech)
Zwakele Mbanjwa is an admitted attorney, a trusted advisor to Indigenous leaders and chiefs, and an International Strategy Forum Fellow (2025). A seasoned data and technology lawyer with over a decade of experience in public policy, risk management, and business development, he has advised multinationals, startups, and public institutions
Zwakele Mbanjwa is an admitted attorney, a trusted advisor to Indigenous leaders and chiefs, and an International Strategy Forum Fellow (2025). A seasoned data and technology lawyer with over a decade of experience in public policy, risk management, and business development, he has advised multinationals, startups, and public institutions across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States on privacy, Artificial Intelligence, financial compliance, and cross-border governance.
Prof. Thembinkosi Modi (WSU)
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Zwakele Mbanjwa (Data & Tech)
Executive Dean of Natural Sciences at Walter Sisulu University, with nearly 30 years in Plant Physiology, Crop Science, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. He advances community development, food security, and environmental sustainability, holding national and international leadership roles including former President of the South African Society of Crop Production and Chair of LEAP-Agri.
Mr. Francis Zulu (Men's Health)
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Indigenous leader (iNduna- Mandlakazi clan) and Health Activist with 30+ years’ experience in rural health and economic development. He has led PEPFAR- and EU-funded programs, served as an ILO Master Trainer, strengthening small enterprises via the Durban Chamber, and drives community-led initiatives through the Ubulungiswa Foundation.
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Mkz. Motheba Mohapi (Community Relations)
Strategic Account Management Executive and iGqirha (Camagu-trained Indigenous Practitioner) with more than 15 years’ experience in partnership cultivation, stakeholder management, and market growth. She integrates Indigenous Knowledge Systems into business and policy, advancing inclusive, resilient, and culturally grounded solutions.
Our journey to building a C-IKS economy
Our humble beginnings
Our humble beginnings
Our humble beginnings
In 2008, a group of passionate Indigenous leaders, practitioners, and professionals came together in response to a tragic and urgent crisis: the deaths of young initiates during sacred cultural rites. This moment sparked a series of deep and ongoing engagements focused on the broader wellbeing of rural communities under Indigenous authori
In 2008, a group of passionate Indigenous leaders, practitioners, and professionals came together in response to a tragic and urgent crisis: the deaths of young initiates during sacred cultural rites. This moment sparked a series of deep and ongoing engagements focused on the broader wellbeing of rural communities under Indigenous authority. It became clear that the prevailing economic system was not working fairly or inclusively, especially for Indigenous peoples in Africa.
Our story
Our humble beginnings
Our humble beginnings
We set out to drive a systemic shift grounded in the values of the Camagu Indigenous Knowledge Systems (C-IKS), a transformation inspired by ancestral wisdom, rooted in ethical collaboration. We focused on practical solutions for sustainable development. From this vision, the Indigenous Professions of South Africa (IPROSA) was established
We set out to drive a systemic shift grounded in the values of the Camagu Indigenous Knowledge Systems (C-IKS), a transformation inspired by ancestral wisdom, rooted in ethical collaboration. We focused on practical solutions for sustainable development. From this vision, the Indigenous Professions of South Africa (IPROSA) was established to champion wellness and sustainability through Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
Our Community
Our humble beginnings
Our Community
Our community is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud to have built a vibrant and inclusive network, bringing together Indigenous leaders and practitioners, academics, researchers, policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and allies, united in advancing Indigenous knowledge, scarce skills, and modern tech, to drive wellbeing, economic opportunity, and thriving African communities.
