The 5th African Intellectuals Lecture held on 2 September 2019, delivered by Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, the former University of KwaZulu-Natal Vice-Chancellor and South African Health Ombud, deliberated on pertinent issues with which Africa grapples to attain African Renaissance '21 years onwards'.
Makgoba‘s keynote address explored injustices perpetuated by South African universities. He noted that universities are called centres of excellence. "However," he said, "the very institutions placed on top of the hills to become the light to society, end up being a place that delays progress and brings darkness on earth. More often than not people come out less smart in these institutions."
Identifying issues of identity, Makgoba pointed out that universities should focus on African languages in ways of teaching and research. "Our identity is still elusive," he said. "We are a diverse nation, not only with history but also with languages. To restore and regain the identity of Africans, universities must ensure that languages play a fundamental role in resolving African problems."
In his reflections on the 1998 African Renaissance Conference, where he was convenor and chairperson, Makgoba stated that the African Renaissance concept has been discussed enough and it is known. "Now is the time for solutions," he said. "The reason why universities resist transformation is because they know exactly the problems that exist among themselves. We must look clearly to see how we can bring change." He further lambasted academics for not doing much besides creating more problems. "Don’t be too academic about these kinds of issues," he advised.
As a well-known and respected African physician, Makgoba argued that universities don’t give people knowledge and ideas; instead, experiences and upbringings educate people to be creative. "I am called a scientist because of what I learnt back home," he said. "But my creativity was polished at Oxford University. Sometimes humble beginnings become our future, yet we don’t recognise that."
Commenting on the transformation agenda, he affirmed the audience that South Africa is making progress. "It is moving at slow pace, but we need to remind ourselves that it is a journey," said Makgoba. "The issues of inequalities, unemployment and poverty should be addressed first before the renaissance can be reached."
In conclusion, Makgoba voiced the contribution of Africans in the society and reasons why their confidence should be restored. "African people see the bigger picture," he said. "That is why we have the concept Motho ke motho ka batho."
Presenting his welcome address, Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Mandla Makhanya, painted a picture of varied efforts on the continent that were influenced and reinforced to develop multifaceted programmes to liberate Africa from the clutches of colonialism and imperialism. He said that he firmly believes that the effects of colonialism are still felt today despite the attainment of independence.
"These efforts," he said, "have taken varied shapes, adopted different grammars, emphasised multiple points and modes of importance. The efforts are not meant to be superior to others, but they illustrate humanity through analysing existential material conditions based on the present and past in attempts to shape the future."
The VC said the dominance of and dependence on former colonial centres have extended and translated broadly into cultural dominance where arts, education, literature, fashion and religion have the dominant tastes of Europe and the USA. "The most devastating legacy of colonial conquest was to deny the African a point of reference to any past achievements," he said. "Africans see themselves as failures, people who never contributed to science and knowledge. Such people would logically accept that they are inferior and deserving of dominance and condescending treatment."
The lecture reinvigorated the spirit of Africans and the audience engaged fully with the speakers on issues of poverty, inequalities and unemployment in Africa.
* By Lesego Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
Publish date: 2019-09-10 00:00:00.0