In a stirring celebration of academic achievement and intellectual pursuit, the halls of the University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus resonated with excitement on Thursday, 11 April 2024. The occasion was a dual book launch hosted by two eminent scholars from the Department of History in the Faculty of The Humanities, Dr Jared McDonald and Dr Victor Gwande. Their collective endeavour marked a milestone in the academic landscape, drawing attention to their respective works and sparking vibrant discussions among attendees both on-site and online.

The event, a blend of tradition and modernity, unfolded in the venerable Senate Hall of the Qwaqwa Campus and reached a global audience through virtual platforms. The presence of esteemed figures such as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, Prof Francis Petersen, called attention to the significance of the occasion, while colleagues and students eagerly awaited the insights offered by the authors.

Unveiling hidden narratives

Dr McDonald's monograph, Khoesan and Imperial Citizenship in Nineteenth Century South Africa, casts a probing light on the historical experiences of the Khoesan people in the Cape Colony. Spanning from the mid-1790s to the late 1850s, the book meticulously examines the Khoesan's responses to settler-colonial dynamics, illuminating their agency in crafting their identity as imperial citizens amid a landscape fraught with dispossession and subjugation.

Complementing this exploration, Dr Gwande's monograph, Manufacturing in Colonial Zimbabwe: 1890-1979, offers a compelling narrative of industrialisation and economic policy in colonial Zimbabwe. Unveiling the intricate interplay between state interests, manufacturing endeavours, and broader socio-political dynamics, the book unveils the complex tapestry that shaped the country's economic trajectory and its impact on neighbouring regions.

Intellectual exchange

The presentations by both authors captivated the audience, prompting a lively exchange of ideas and insights. Attendees, both physically present and tuned in remotely, seized the opportunity to engage with the scholars, delving into the touches of their research and drawing connections to contemporary issues.

Prof Diana Breshears, Acting Assistant Dean of the Faculty of The Humanities, lauded the significance of the dual book launch, emphasising the exceptional achievement of having two seminal works emerge from the same department. Her words echoed the sentiment of a community proud of its scholars and their contributions to the advancement of knowledge.

Lasting impact

In his closing remarks, Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, commended Dr McDonald and Dr Gwande for their scholarly rigour and the wealth of insights they shared. He underscored the importance of such endeavours in enriching our understanding of history and shaping critical discourse on the challenges of the present and future.

As the event drew to a close, the resonance of the dual book launch lingered – a powerful testament to the enduring power of scholarship – illuminating the past, inspiring the present, and charting the course for a brighter future, aligned with Vision 130's goals of knowledge creation and global impact.