The Influence of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Youth Behaviour in Mutale Municipality, South Africa

This article explores the influence of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) on youth behaviour in Mutale Municipality, South Africa. Rooted in traditional values, practices, and beliefs passed down through generations, IKS plays a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and behavioural norms among indigenous communities. The research was motivated by concerns about the erosion of traditional knowledge and its potential impact on youth behaviour. The article examined how IKS contributes to shaping or influencing youth conduct in the Mutale context. Guided by the Afrocentric theoretical framework and underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm, the article adopted a qualitative, exploratory research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of eleven youth participants (eight males and three females). Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The research was conducted with the permission of the local royal council, and all ethical considerations were observed. Two major findings emerged: first, indigenous knowledge significantly influences youth moral behaviour and decision-making; second, a disconnection from traditional structures due to modernization and lack of intergenerational dialogue weakens this influence. Based on these findings, the article recommends the establishment of structured intergenerational knowledge-sharing platforms and the integration of indigenous knowledge into community-based youth development programs. The article concludes that while indigenous knowledge systems remain a vital influence on youth behaviour, sustained efforts are needed to preserve and transmit this knowledge to future generations. The study contributes to understanding how Indigenous Knowledge Systems shape youth behaviour by highlighting their moral and cultural influence. Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Youth behaviour, Mutale Municipality, Cultural Transmission