74. Understanding the African Thought System: A Guide for Scholars in all areas of African Studies
Date: 12 September 2023
Time: 15:00 to 16:15 (SAST)
Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OB3TzSEYQDaS6Vfw3Aw_4A
Overview: The Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) welcomes you to a seminar titled, “Understanding the African Thought System: A Guide for Scholars in all areas of African Studies“. During this session, Prof. Jonathan Chimakonam will delve into key questions to illustrate the distinctiveness of the African Thought System in the broader African canon. The discussion will also shed light on the common tendency among African researchers to inadvertently base their theories and dialogues on the Western Thought System. This trend has contributed to the emergence of mismatched scholarship in the domain of African studies. The seminar will conclude by highlighting how colonial influences shape this practice and will introduce standards for assessing the ‘authenticity’ of African scholarly work.
Ms Zoliswa Ntsoko (South Africa) is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant who assists with general administration and research. She is a seasoned professional with a background in Disaster Management. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys Business School. She also holds certificates in Project Management, and in Disaster Management. Previously, she has worked as a Disaster Management Specialist at the City of Johannesburg – Disaster Management Centre.
Ms Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe-Moyo is the Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously served as a Regional Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013. She completed her master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia as a Rotary Peace Scholar. She has just completed her doctoral studies at Rhodes University. Her areas of interest include: gender, foreign policy, regional organisations and conflict resolution.
Ms Thembeka Somtseu is a seasoned professional with a background in the textile and construction sectors. She holds a National Diploma in Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology, and studied Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than ten years, serving in both local and multinational companies.