At a workshop held in Swaziland in November 1995, the concept of a network was agreed upon as being inclusive and a practical way ahead. It was agreed that a group of people would be needed to activate the network. It was also essential to work on the structure of the network.

1. Guiding issues in setting up SARNIKS

A number of alternatives for operationalizing the network were suggested. The discussion took cognisance of a number of issues that needed to guide the work of SARNIKS:

• The ability to coordinate information sharing on IKS within the region and between the region and other parts of Africa and the world
• The ability of the group to facilitate the work of national working groups on IKS
• The ability and desirability to allow agenda setting to be done by national working groups
• The need to promote the assemblage of resources to support national working groups; and
• The need to assist the national working groups to lobby at all levels including doing so at the SADC or United Nations levels.

SARNIKS also had to be able to set priorities and work out short, medium and long term programmes based on these priorities. Areas requiring further attention would include:

• necessary research on IKS
• developing tools for correctly casting IKS in promoting sustainable natural resource management
• undertaking awareness and educational campaigns on the role of IKS in the region
• seeking ways and means of ensuring that international instruments support IKS and do not go against the people of the region

In moving toward a structure, it was also noted that setting the priorities on IKS by national groups was essential and a structure would have to reflect this. It was also desirable to have sub-regional groups who would pay attention to specific generic and interest group issues, such as awareness raising or researching on specific topics

2. Components of an interim structure for SARNIKS

It was agreed to set up an interim structure for SARNIKS which would encompass the following:

• An assembly of SARNIKS to be held after two years
• The assembly to be made up of national representatives who would be standing in for national groups , to be generically referred to as National Networks on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (NANIKS)
• NANIKS would be composed of various groups within countries including public organisations, NGOs, CBOs and individuals
• The affairs of SARNIKS would be overseen by a management committee which would represent an advisory board made up of representatives of NANIKS. The advisory board would seek to meet annually and the management committee more regularly
• A secretariat headed by a chairperson and supported in the interim by IUCN ROSA and one other person would see to the establishment of SARNIKS. Other international and regional organisations would also be asked to support this initiative with IUCN ROSA taking a leading role
• A coordinator to work with the secretariat and to facilitate the establishment of NANIKS and national programmes was an essential part of the interim arrangement; and
• Working groups with specific interests would be encouraged so that vibrant research and advocacy on IKS in the region would be fostered. Contributions to the SARNIKS was essential on the part of such groups.

The birth of SARNIKS bore witness to the enduring interest of a few dedicated people seeking the use of people’s knowledge systems in promoting sustainable resource management in Southern Africa and elsewhere.