Exploring the Nexus of Wealth, Inequality, and Artistic Expression: Insights from

                              Professor Patrice Mwepu's Workshop Participation

 

From 7 to 9 January 2024, Professor Patrice Mwepu, from French and Francophone Studies, and the Confucius Institute at Rhodes, delved into a thought-provoking workshop held at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. This scholarly gathering was aimed to dissect the intricate tapestry of wealth accumulation, societal inequality, and their analysis in various disciplines, including geography, economics, history, and literature. Organised under the auspices of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence initiative, the workshop brought together scholars from different geographical spaces, including representatives from the University of Bayreuth (Germany), Moi University (Kenya), and the University of Ghana.

At the heart of Professor Mwepu's discourse was his presentation titled "Artistic  Representation of Accumulation" a meticulous exploration of the symbiotic relationship between wealth acquisition and the pursuit of affluence within capitalist frameworks. Expressing grave concerns over escalating societal disparities, Professor Mwepu spotlighted, through francophone literary works, the disconcerting trend wherein the affluent amass greater riches while the marginalised sink deeper into the quagmire of poverty. "The concept of accumulation is intrinsically tied to the acquisition of wealth within the contours of a capitalist society, where the chasm between the affluent and the impoverished widens inexorably," he remarked. In delineating the contours of inequality, he elucidated its manifestation as a structural malaise wherein the privileged thrive at the expense of the disenfranchised. "Inequality manifests as a social construct characterised by egregious disparities, perpetuating a milieu wherein opulence coexists with abject poverty," he elaborated.

Moreover, Professor Mwepu expounded upon the pivotal role of artistic renderings in elucidating the repercussions of wealth accumulation, particularly for those ensnared in the labyrinth of economic inequities. He underscored the agency wielded by writers and artists in critiquing entrenched societal imbalances, harnessing the transformative power of their works to challenge prevailing paradigms and reimagine societal realities. " Artistic representation serves as a prism through which writers navigate the murky waters of inequality, offering poignant critiques and imaginative reconstructions of the socio-economic landscape," he posited. Reflecting on the onus borne by literary practitioners, Professor Mwepu exhorted emerging voices to traverse a diverse terrain of thematic exploration, from intimate interpersonal dynamics to scathing societal indictments, thereby fostering a nuanced discourse and catalysing transformative change. "For writers attuned to the clarion call of societal inequities, the imperative lies in sustaining a relentless pursuit of critical engagement, for the world, in its current state, remains far from pristine,"  he affirmed.

Professor Mwepu's reflection served as a clarion call to action, spotlighting the transformative potential of literature in interrogating societal mores and advocating for a more equitable world order. His insights resonate as a testament to the indomitable spirit of human creativity, poised at the vanguard of social consciousness and collective change.

By: Urielle Kayumba