The University of South Africa (Unisa) will on Saturday host the 15th Annual Es’kia Mphahlele Memorial lecture, in commemorating the legacy of the renowned literary figure Prof Es’kia Mphahlele.
The annual event is set to take place at the Unisa North Eastern Region, Clifford Tleane Building, 23A Landros Mare Street,Polokwane.
On Tuesday, Unisa revealed that this year’s lecture will be delivered by Professor Siphamandla Zondi, the director of the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), one of the University of Johannesburg’s Global Excellence and Stature 4.0 flagship institutes.
Mphahlele who passed away in 2008 was recognised as one of the country’s most illustrious author of two autobiographies, more than thirty short stories, two verse plays and a fair number of poems.
In a statement, Unisa indicated that this year’s commemoration will be delivered under the topic, " Es'kia Mphahlele in search of a decolonial turn," under the theme “The African Writer as a Prophet and Social Critic in Contemporary Times”.
“The annual event will among other things serve to honour the legacy of the late Professor Es’kia Mphahlele and to acknowledge his contributions to literary discourse and social development as well as generate debate that contributes to public discourse while promoting academic intellectualism,” the university said.
The 2024 guest speaker, Professor Siphamandla Zondi has served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) from 2009 to 2016.
He holds a BA and Higher Diploma in Education from the former University of Durban-Westville and earned his MPhil and DPhil in African Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK.
His extensive experience includes leading IGD’s Africa Studies and South African Foreign Policy Analysis programs, as well as coordinating the Africa Institute of South Africa’s regional integration and sustainable development programmes.
His research interests include regional integration and governance, South Africa’s international relations and foreign policy, and public health policy.
Previous guest speakers for this lecture include Dr Reuel Khoza (Chairman of Dzana Investment), Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng (Retired Chief Justice, South Africa), Dr Mosibudi Mangena (former leader of Azapo and former Minister of Science and Technology) ,Dr Mamphela Ramphele (former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town), Dr Xolela Mangcu ( Professor of Sociology at the University of Cape Town), Professor Muxe Nkondo (Former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Venda), Professor Tshepo Madlingozi (Commissioner, South African Human Rights Commission), Professor Adebayo O. Olukoshi (Director for Africa and West Asia, International IDEA), Professor Itumeleng Mosala (former Director General of the Department of Arts and Culture and former leader of AZAPO) and last year, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Tshwane University of Technology).
The Star
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