Abstract
Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) were a treasure in liberating Africa from colonial bondage. The use of IKS was the key strategy used by freedom fighters. IKS are forms of knowledge that have originated locally and naturally. African IKS is the theoretical framework anchoring this study. The objective of the study was to explore the effective contributions and understanding of IKS during the liberation struggle and how to conserve it for future benefits. A phenomenological research design was used. The participants included surviving freedom fighters, young females (chimbwido), young males (mujibha), and community leadership. Thematic content-narrative analysis was used to analyse the data. The study found spiritual protection, the role of African spiritual healers, shelter for the liberation fighters, food, African Indigenous therapies and medicines, and phenology (behaviour) of fauna and flora subscribed to IKS during the war of liberation struggle. The study found that the memories and experiences of freedom fighters helped in whetting an appetite for IKS to ameliorate contemporary challenges of countries in southern Africa. This study recommends incorporating IKS into the education curriculum as a compulsory subject from primary to tertiary level and in industry. The legacy of IKS was identified as the intellectual property of the liberation struggle which needs to be preserved and respected.