Wamkelekile, Welkom
UCT celebrates Africa Day
25 May 2020 | Story Helen Swingler and Niémah Davids. Photos Supplied. Read time 5 min.
“The evolution of humanity says that Africa reaffirms that she is continuing her rise from the ashes. Whatever the setbacks of the moment, nothing can stop us now! Whatever the difficulties, Africa shall be at peace.” – President Thabo Mbeki.
On Monday, 25 May, the continent celebrates Africa Day. The celebration commemorates freedom from the yoke of colonialism and apartheid and signals the anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. It also gives the people of Africa an opportunity to acknowledge the continent’s progress, reflect on its challenges and look towards a more prosperous future.
UCT News asked staff and students: What does it mean to be African?
Safo Ngunga is from Nairobi, Kenya, and a third-year BCom in Economics and Finance student.
“My stay at UCT has really challenged me to understand what being African is, and from my experience I would sum it up as ‘being different’ – different in culture, community, language and values.
“There is something so unique that being African places on you and my journey has been finding the beauty within my distinct African nature.”
Phakamani Ntentema is an African Languages and Literatures master’s student. Ntentema also lectures isiXhosa to students completing their postgraduate certificate in education.
“Being African means I have an obligation which is historical. Being African means fighting against anything that seeks to perpetuate suffering, exploitation and oppression of Africa and its people.
“Being African in the language sector means advocating for the intellectualisation of African languages and further developing the use of African languages. Languages are after all carriers of cultures and a means to communicate.”
Professor Ed Rybicki is the director of the Biopharming Research Unit in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. He was born in Zambia, was schooled there, in the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, and came to UCT as a student in 1974.
“I consider myself an African. I was born in one African country, of which I was a citizen until 2000; my senior education was largely in another; and I have made a third – South Africa – my home.
“I have lived elsewhere for up to a year at a time but have never considered staying. It means a lot to me to be an African: I am proud of my old and my adopted home countries, I take joy in the achievements of Africans, I am proud of what I and my team have achieved scientifically here in Africa.
“I have worked since 1981 to advance virology and biotechnology in Africa because I believe science has a bright future on this continent – and even at my advancing age, I want to be a part of it.”
Dr Rachael Dangarembizi is a postdoctoral research fellow and neurophysiology lecturer in human biology. Her research focuses on understanding brain infections and its effects on brain functionality.
“Being an African neuroscientist means being at the frontline of finding solutions to the challenges our people face. It means using my knowledge and skills to help drive sustainable development and advance social transformation.
“For me, being an African scientist goes beyond being an academic. Instead, it’s all about finding realistic and relevant solutions to help address the issues that surround us. African science is headed in the right direction by embracing the fourth industrial revolution and placing technology at the centre of training and research. Every facet of Africa’s development is dependent on good brain health.”
Dr Rethabile Possa-Mogoera is a senior lecturer at UCT’s Department of African Languages and Literatures. Her area of research focuses on oral literature, onomastic and African literature.
“Being African means I know my values. I am spiritually grounded. I honour my ancestors and I walk in their shadows. Being African means I have scars of the past, I smile through teary eyes, I laugh and I give. I hope for better and I share my prosperity with others.
“Being African means I have a home, I have a family, I have a society that I belong to. Being African is knowing where you come from. I am a descendant of African soil.”
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Africa Month at UCT
During the month of May we commemorate the establishment, in 1963, of the Organisation of African Unity – a precursor to the African Union – which made Africa a pioneer in continental unity and nation building. As a celebration of this moment, UCT will be participating in a series of virtual symposiums on “Africa’s innovations in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic” to discuss pertinent governance and developmental issues in Africa, towards the formulation of policy recommendations. The university also curated responses from across the university community about what it is that makes us African, and how this informs what we do.
Africa Day, 25 May 2020
UCT Africa Month Virtual Symposium Series
Day 1: Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Opening remarks and Session 1: Knowledge systems and knowledge production on the continent
Session 2: Why has Africa been less impacted? Best practice examples in Africa
Day 2: Thursday, 28 May 2020
Session 3: Unpacking the climate change and development nexus in Africa: Moving beyond obligations to opportunities
Day 3: Friday, 29 May 2020
VC’s Introduction and Session 4: Pan-African reflections on leadership and good governance during COVID-19: Good practice, challenges and opportunities
Session 5: COVID-19 philanthropy on the continent and Closing: Key insights and practical implications
Audio
UCT wishes to acknowledge the generous event sponsorship received from Standard Bank for the UCT Africa Month Virtual Symposium Series.
- Knowledge systems and knowledge production on the Continent
- Why has Africa been less impacted by COVID 19?
- Unpacking the climate change and development nexus in Africa: Moving beyond obligations to opportunities
- Pan African reflections on leadership and good governance during COVID 19: good practice, challenges and opportunities
- COVID 19 philanthropy in Africa
