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Dr Anthony Court of Unisa's Primedia Holocaust and Genocide Unit recently returned from the successful inaugural Rwanda study tour, of which he was the tour leader. The tour group of 19 consisted of Gauteng students and representatives of the AJC, SAUJS and the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre. The AJC and SAUJS awarded full scholarships to 12 Gauteng student participants.
The tour, which took place from 17 to 25 August this year, was based at the Kigali NGO Solace Ministries and guest house, from where day trips were undertaken to major genocide sites, mass graves and education centres. These included Kigali’s Gisozi Memorial Centre, the Humura Memorial and Education Centre, the Ntarama and Nyamata churches, and the Murambi "Never Again" Memorial. Other visits included the Kigali oral history project "Voices of Rwanda", the Rwanda Cinema Centre, the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare, Kibuye, Lake Kivu, and the post-genocide development projects at Agahoza-Shalom Village, Maranyundo Girls’ School, FAWE school and Radio Salus. The group also attended a private discussion with the Rwandan Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, His Excellency, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya.
Dr Court gave a talk to staff and students at Butare University and the tour group listened to presentations by the Dean of Humanities and student representatives. Discussions were held about a proposed joint master's programme in genocide studies with Butare University and the University of Southern California. Dr Court also held discussions with several prospective postgraduate applicants interested in pursuing educational opportunities at Unisa. Various other joint projects were initiated with Voices of Rwanda, Radio Salus, the Rwanda Cinema Centre and Solace Ministries.
Post-tour activities will include student debriefing seminars at the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre, group discussions with a qualified psychologist, a photo exhibition to be launched at Unisa in February 2009, and the publication of a book of student reflections and photographs. All proceeds from the exhibition and proposed book will be held in trust to fund the postgraduate studies of a survivor of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
Dr Court and Mr Leon Hartwell of the University of Pretoria's Department of Political Science will present a joint seminar and slide-show at Unisa's School for Graduate Studies on 30 October 2008. The seminar will address the challenges facing government and society in post-genocide Rwanda. All Unisa staff and students are welcome to attend. |
