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01 October 2018 | Story UFS | Photo Rulanzen Martin
Prof Charles Ngwena is a former professor in the UFS Department
Prof Charles Ngwena is a former professor in the UFS Department of Constitutional Law and Legal Philosophy in the Faculty of Law.

The meaning of race, culture and sexism in Africa takes a different tone than it does in the West. The West has always tried to create an identity for Africa, but the real question remains: “What does it mean to be an African?’ 

“My aim with this book was to see how discourse is formed and what it means when you say the word ‘African’, which is meaningless. You have to look back to understand how that was created,” said Prof Charles Ngwena.

Prof Ngwena’s new book, asks the critical question,‘What is Africanness?’ Fully titled, What is Africanness? Contesting nativism in race, culture and sexualities is a timely contribution to contemporary South African debates on issues of decolonisation, race, ethnicity, nation building and belonging.

Identity formation a crucial element

“The book speaks directly to African cultural heritage and deconstructs a Western-imposed and homogenising framework for understanding Africanness,” said Dr Nadine Lake from the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies (CGAS) at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Ngwena foregrounds the importance of intersectionality when approaching issues of race, culture and sexuality and writes: “Genericness is ineluctably homogenising. It can serve to obscure heterogeneities among women, pre-empting the need to explore the implications of differences among women in feminist theory and praxis.

“Identity is being and becoming. It is always changing. What young people think of identity is not the same way their grandparents thought about it,” said Prof Ngwena. He added that his contribution through this book was to underlay identity formation.

The book, published by Pretoria University Law Press (PULP), was launched in a joint venture by CGAS, the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria on Tuesday 11 September 2018 at the UFS.

News Archive

Democracy and political tolerance truly thrive during Qwaqwa Campus SRC elections
2016-09-16

Description: 2017 SR Qwaqwa  Tags: 2017 SR Qwaqwa

The newly-elected SRC President of the Qwaqwa
Campus, Njabulo Mwali (left), being congratulated
by his predecessor, Paseka Sikhosana.
Ph
oto: Thabiso Gamede

Voter turnout during the recent SRC elections among the best in the country at over 60%

The 2016-2017 Qwaqwa Campus SRC elections have once again proven that democracy and political tolerance are truly thriving on the Qwaqwa Campus. This was evidenced by the calm surrounding the highly contested elections ever.

According to Mandla Ndlangamandla, Electoral Committee Chairperson, this year’s elections were highly contentious, yet with a high level of tolerance.

"We only had two political structures, namely the South African Democratic Student Movement (Sadesmo) and the South African Student Congress (Sasco), but the level of engagement was really commendable,” he said.

“Of the 4 200 registered students on campus, more than 2 500 cast their votes in their quest to influence student leadership and governance to advance student aspirations," said Ndlangamandla during the handover ceremony.

In accepting the leadership baton from his predecessor, Paseka Sikhosana, the new President, Njabulo Mwali, said his immediate goal was to unite all students behind the new leadership.

In acknowledging the role student governance can play in developing the campus, the Acting Campus Principal, Teboho Manchu, said the campus was proud to have a student leadership that would always keep the interests of their constituency on top of their agenda.

“We will definitely work hand-in-hand with the new student government. In case of any disagreements, please note that you have the right to take up any such matters with the top management of the university in order to advance the entire student body,” he added.

The 2016-2017 Qwaqwa Campus SRC is as follows:

LIST OF SRC MEMBERS 2016-2017

Elective Portfolios

 

Name and Surname

Portfolio

Njabulo Mwali

President General

Siyabonga Ngubo

Deputy President

Joy Mapule Motloung

Secretary General

Bongela Nyandeni

Treasurer General

Mpumelelo Tshabalala

Politics and Transformation

Nomcebo Mqushulu

Media and Publicity

Ntokozo Michael Masiteng

Student Development and Environmental Affairs

   

Ex Officio Portfolios

 

Khulani Mhlongo

Arts and Culture

Polaki Mazibuko

Academic Affairs

Ntokozo Mbali Thango

Sports Affairs

Motlatsi Lisley Lebona

Religious Affairs

Sandile Ntamane

Residence Affairs

Itumeleng Chefter

RAG Comm. and Dialogue

Thulebona Thomas Khumalo

Off-campus

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