By Orla Quinlan, Director of Global Engagement
Friday 31 May, the last day of Africa Month coincided with the 120th birthday of Rhodes University. Activities in May included public lectures, seminars, panel discussions, a conference, a colloquium, a book launch, interactive activities with students, a photo shoot celebrating cultural diversity, education campaigns, a postgraduate funding fair; all demonstrating Rhodes University’s continuing commitment to a vibrant intellectual life on campus.
Culture, language, and Africa’s future:
Emeritus Prof. Kwesi Kwaa Prah, a renowned sociologist and linguist, delivered the first lecture. He has driven Pan-African language development projects across the continent through the Centre of Advanced Studies of African Society, which he founded.
Decolonising the Southern African subject:
The second lecture was by Zimbabwean-born award-winning novelist and filmmaker, Tsitsi Dangarembga, titled "Decolonising the Southern African Subject: What We Are Up Against and How to Push Back at it." This event was held in collaboration with the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. Dangarembga’s week-long visit included a conversation with Prof Lynda Spencer and Dr Joseph Kwanya from the Department of Literary Studies, and a discussion with Prof Dion Nkomo on translating her work, "Nervous Conditions," into Shona.
Eroding democratic institutions and the future of knowledge:
Advocate Vusi Pikoli, the former National Director of Public Prosecutions, gave the third lecture on "The Eroding of Democratic Institutions and the Future of Knowledge," marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa. This lecture took place at the Albany Museum.
Seminars, Conferences & Colloquiums:
Dr Andrews Atta-Asamoah, head of the African Peace and Security Governance Programme at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Research Associate at the Department of Political and International Studies, gave a lunchtime seminar on "African Union's Evolution in Two Decades: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Prospects."
Rhodes University Community Engagement hosted a dynamic conference at the Settlers Monument The conference south to contribute to the knowledge base concerning community engagement, examining the dynamic between community, university, and society in South Africa and internationally
A two-day Colloquium on Sustainability brought together researchers from every faculty to share insights and ideas, shaping a sustainable RU120 legacy.
Book launch:
Prof Pedro Tabensky, Director of the Allan Gray Centre for Leadership Ethics, in dialogue with Dr Thando Njovane, launched his book "Camus and Fanon on the Algerian Question" (Routledge 2023) at the Amazwi Museum of Literature. This is the first book to systematically compare the philosophies of Albert Camus and Frantz Fanon, demonstrating how their ethical, political, and psychological outlooks can further our understanding of justice in the face of deep power imbalances.
Student engagement activities:
Earlier in the month, before undergraduate students began SWOT week preparations for end-of-semester exams, the Global Engagement Division (GED) supported the SRC in hosting an outdoor games day. Activities included various races, an international quiz, international cuisine, and team games, along with face-painting and music.
On “Purple Thursday,” 23 May, an interactive activity outside the library explored the question, “What does a 21st-century education mean to Rhodes University students?”. GED provided exam treats for participating students.
In collaboration with the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS), GED supported a panel of international staff and students who shared their journeys to Rhodes University, discussing the importance of an international component in any university. Meanwhile, student members of the Black Lawyers Association organized a panel discussion on the legal aspects of a South African case brought to the International Court of Justice.
Postgraduate Funding Fair and awareness campaigns:
A successful postgraduate funding fair enabled invited national and international partners to share funding opportunities with students from Rhodes University and Nelson Mandela University.
Educational and awareness-raising campaigns ran throughout the month, including information about the African Union’s history, vision, and objectives, interesting facts about African countries, a “Did you know?” campaign on African high achievers, and profiles of international students.
Cultural diversity celebration:
To celebrate our cultural diversity, staff and postdocs were invited to dress in informal or formal contemporary African attire for a professional photoshoot in celebration of Africa Day itself. Rhodes Music Radio RMR broadcast news of the month’s activities on Africa Day.
External engagements:
The Rhodes University community also engaged externally with several networks concerned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. Rhodes University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Sizwe Mabizela, Director of Global Engagement, Ms Orla Quinlan, and eight researchers attended the South African Swedish University Forum (SASUF) Research and Innovation week. They participated in workshops, satellite events, coordination meetings, and leadership discussions before a three-day Sustainability Forum hosted by Lund, Malmo, and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in three different towns in Southern Sweden.
The VC attended the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) annual meeting in Pretoria. ARUA joined with the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), jointly representing nearly 50 leading universities on six continents. The main agenda was equitable research collaboration to tackle global challenges, with human capacity development emerging as a top priority.
The Director of Global Engagement attended the AGM of the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA), where members approved the strategic plan, the new Constitution, elected a new Board, and approved an official Memorandum of Understanding between the South African Development Community (SADC) and SARUA.
Prof Nomusa Dlodlo, Rhodes University’s representative in the Grow Green Africa (Gr2A) intra-Africa mobility project, met with climate change specialists for a curriculum development workshop from 27-29 May at the Kansanshi Royal Hotel in Solwezi, Zambia. The consortium members include the Copperbelt University in Zambia, Rhodes University in South Africa, the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, Namibia University of Science and Technology in Namibia, the University of Eswatini in Eswatini, and the University of Turku in Finland.
While Africa Month is celebrated every May, this year was especially significant as it overlapped with the RU120 celebrations. As Africa Month ended on Rhodes University’s 120th birthday, the University community was eagerly awaiting the outcomes of the South African elections, which had a high turnout, showcasing a thriving democracy. Rhodes University is committed to contributing to Africa's future through education.