Module on African Renaissance Studies

This module is presented during pre-registration seminars and lectures to Master's and Doctoral students and separately as a certificate programme. In this module, the Institute, its partners and associates seek to create an understanding of where Africa was in the past, where it is today, the reasons for such positioning of Africa and the commitment to a mission to change things for the better.

Major historical changes over the last five hundred years in ever globalizing world have placed Africa peoples and the continent in subordinate, exploited and abused positions. As a result, the African renaissance studies must pursue knowledge paradigms that are self-critical, inward as well as outward looking and reflective of the past and the present while looking into the future. Knowledge informed by the vision and spirit of African renaissance should assist Africans and the peoples of African descent to seek changes that inspire the regaining of the African self-worth, self-confidence, equality with the rest of humanity, dignity  and command of respect.

The African mind-set and world outlook as well as Africa's position and relationships with the rest of the world must all under-go fundamental changes for the renaissance to become reality. The African renaissance is therefore a motive force for change and ultimately the product of that change. It requires fundamental paradigm shifts.