The partnership will combine academic expertise and traditional knowledge to support sustainable rural development, with a focus on tourism, culture and heritage, enterprise development, economic empowerment, education and agriculture.
UMP Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, said the collaboration would help create sustainable livelihoods, preserve cultural heritage and address migration from rural areas, and highlighted the value of combining academic research with indigenous knowledge and modern technology to support community development.
She emphasised that implementing the agreement would require the University and the Traditional Council to combine their resources and expertise, and noted that indigenous building methods, for example, could inform contemporary approaches to construction and sustainability.
"The University's research will help document local knowledge, make it accessible to wider audiences and translate research findings into programmes and projects that benefit the community," said Professor Meyiwa, adding that the partnership will also provide students with practical learning opportunities through direct involvement in community projects, connecting academic knowledge with local needs and development priorities.
Key Strategic Priorities
The MoU identifies five areas of collaboration to advance sustainable development:
- Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Preserving cultural heritage, researching local traditions and promoting community-based tourism.
- Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment: Supporting rural businesses, enterprise innovation and women's economic empowerment.
- Education, Skills Development, Leadership and Lifelong Learning: Advancing youth development and digital skills through the Centre for Continuing Education and Executive Development and Leadership.
- Agriculture, Processing and Food Security: Exploring sustainable farming practices and climate-smart solutions to strengthen food security.
- Research, Innovation and Community Development: Applying academic research to practical solutions for community challenges.
Speakers emphasised that the agreement will help develop the rural community while deepening students' understanding of local identity, culture and heritage.
Community-led Development
Traditional Leader Inkhosi Manyovu III said the partnership was intended to support long-term community development rather than isolated projects. The Council also aims to align its development priorities with the University's research capacity and expertise.
Among the initiatives discussed is the revival of the Simatre Singer Institute, which previously facilitated cultural exchanges between Bukosi and Piko. The agreement also includes smart agriculture initiatives using Smart Food Growing (SFG) boxes, which are self-watering growing systems designed to support the cultivation of vegetables, herbs and other crops, alongside a climate-sensitive data-tracking system.
Inkhosi Manyovu III highlighted plans to strengthen the link between subsistence and commercial farming through improved market access and knowledge transfer.
“There are plans to restore a distillation plant that extracts oils from plants such as geraniums, which supports the national Vision 2030 goal of processing products locally rather than elsewhere," he said, adding that the Council sees sustainable agriculture as an opportunity to create employment, transfer skills and strengthen food security.
Professor Meyiwa said direct engagement with the Traditional Council would enhance the relevance of students' qualifications by exposing them to community-based learning. Such engagement would also deepen their understanding of local identity, culture and heritage.
“Through student engagement with the Traditional Council, particularly in culture and heritage studies, UMP aims to offer practical, high-impact education rooted in its local context,” she added.
“Combining traditional wisdom with academic rigour aims to strengthen the global competitiveness of students and communities. The partners intend to deepen the relationship by drawing on their shared influence and energy.”
The partnership seeks to bring traditional knowledge and academic research together to strengthen community development, support sustainable livelihoods and create opportunities for students and residents of Mantjolo.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures by JB Creative Cinema. Copyright © UMP.