Unisa online - What is Africa? What is African?

Prof Makhanya and Prof Wole Soyinka

Prof Soyinka’s interactive lecture focused on the “fictioning” of Africa and the bagful of fixed notions that continue to plague the continent. He said that Africa has paid for and continues to pay for the upkeep of Europe’s imagination.

This internationally-acclaimed poet, playwright, novelist and essayist – whose works have influenced social discourse on topics such as abuse of power and social injustices by world leaders - presented a lecture that embodies the vision of the Africa Speaks series. The series aims to nurture, develop and sustain a vibrant community of researchers and intellectuals, and contribute to the transformative needs of a developmental Africa state. 

Captivating a packed Kgorong Function Hall with his humorous and enthralling lecture, Prof Soyinka also engaged guests on  pertinent issues such as the discourse on colonialism, missionaries and mythology, and the languages used by Africans to communicate. He also answered questions on: What is an African? How can African’s redefine themselves? What should African leaders do in terms of global warming?

He said because of history and political will, Africa is a continent made up of many cultures. “Who is African? For me, it is whoever calls themself an African … Africa is just a landmass – geography; it is the people within who define themselves.”

Addressing the issue of African languages and the discourse on colonialism, Prof Soyinka said without development in communication, a distortion of other people’s languages is likely to occur. He also said that colonial language in some cases can be a unifying language; he stressed, however, the importance of creating, nurturing and revitalising indigenous languages.

Commenting on Africa’s role in the global warming struggle, he said that Africa can take the lead and propel itself. “What is wrong with African governments investing in the building of solar panels… The technology is there, the intellectuals are there, why not?”

Prof Zodwa Motsa, Regional Director: Ethiopia Learning Centre, described Prof Soyinka as someone who is fully aware that the world is there for him to explore and correct when it needs correction.

Unisa Deputy Registrar, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, thanked Prof Soyinka for his stimulating lecture. “I hope that Africa and higher education in Africa stops pretending we don’t have the likes of Wole Siyonka... You have inspired us to change the way we read and change the way we teach.”

*Written by Rivonia Naidu