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Honouring Moshoeshoe I’s decolonial philosophy

01 April 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Supplied

Dr Mushonga_web read more — Dr Munyaradzi Mushonga drew from Moshoeshoe I’s decolonial philosophy in his virtual lecture hosted by Institute of Peace and Leadership at the National University of Lesotho.

King Moshoeshoe I was a decolonial philosopher-king well before the decolonisation of the 20th century and the current insurgent and resurgent decolonial turn gained momentum. This was the overarching message of Dr Munyaradzi Mushonga, who delivered the annual Moshoeshoe I Memorial lecture. The lecture, hosted by the Moshoeshoe I Institute of Peace and Leadership at the National University of Lesotho, took place virtually on Wednesday 17 March 2021.

Dr Mushonga, Senior Lecturer and Progamme Director of Africa Studies in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies (CGAS) at the University of the Free State, says his lecture titled, In living memory of Moshoeshoe I: The decolonial philosopher-king of love, peace, co-existence and pluriversal humanism, was about how wisdom, knowledge, love, peace, ethics of living together, and pluriversal humanism were all merged into alliance in the one person of King Moshoeshoe.

Moshoehoeism a prequel for modern decolonialism

Being an African Studies scholar, Dr Mushonga implored modern scholars to appreciate ‘Moshoehoeism’ and said that such lectures provide the opportunity to relive the past and honour prominent individuals such as King Moshoeshoe I.

Moshoehoeism is a philosophy that is dedicated to liberating Frantz Fanon’s ‘the wretched of the earth’. It is important that Moshoehoeism is used by African Studies scholars for the “purposes of re-humanising, remembering, and re-educating previously de-humanised, dis-membered and mis-educated sons and daughters of the earth.”

Dr Mushongha says that King Moshoeshoe I was always seeking true understanding (knowledge) – to seek true knowledge is to have a decolonial mind and consciousness. “He saved his kingdom from extinction through a paradigm of knowledge; a paradigm that informed him that it was time to make concessions on sovereignty in order to save the nation and nationhood.”

“To have the wisdom, knowledge, and courage to love and make peace under social and political conditions that did not permit love and peace is to be truly decolonial,” said Dr Mushongha.

▶WATCH: YouTube recording of Moshoeshoe I Memorial Lecture

Note to viewers: the order of the recordings is as follows:

1. Preamble

2. Part 1

3. Part 2a

4. Part 2b

5. Part 3 and 4

News Archive

UFS Alumni honours four former Kovsies

2008-04-11

The University of the Free State (UFS) will honour four old Kovsies during the Kovsie Alumni Gala Awards dinner on Friday, 16 May 2008.

UFS Alumni chose Juan Smith as the 2007 Kovsie Alumnus of the Year. Dr Sherylle Calder, Dr Derick Coetzee and Prof. André Claassen will each receive the Kovsie Cum Laude Award. This award is made to honour UFS alumni for exceptional achievements and contributions to the UFS.

Juan Smith, member of the victorious World Cup Springbok team and captain of the 2007 Vodacom Free State Cheetahs Currie Cup winners, will receive the 2007 Kovsie Alumnus of the Year award. This award is made to a Kovsie alumnus for outstanding performance on national or international level. Smith made his Springbok debut in 2003 and has received much praise for his contribution to the side since then.

Dr Sherylle Calder and Dr Derick Coetzee will both receive the Kovsie Alumni Cum Laude Award. Both have played a key role in the preparation and conditioning of the Springbok team. Dr Calder has also been highly successful as part of the coaching unit for the English rugby team that won the World Cup in 2003, and the coaching team for the Australian cricket side. She is a pioneer in the field of visual awareness. Dr Coetzee has been the fitness conditioning expert for the Springbok team for the past four years. The success of the team in the World Cup is a testament to his achievements.

Prof. André Claassen will also be honoured with a Cum Laude Award for his contribution in the advancement of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. He has many personal achievements in his discipline and has received several national and international awards, including one for the first cochlear implants in the Free State. The Cum Laude Award is given to an alumnus for outstanding service or achievement on local, national or international level in his/her field or discipline.

The Gala Awards dinner is a public event and will take place in the Reitz Hall of the Centenary Complex on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Microsoft is co-sponsor of the event. Those who are interested in attending can contact Ms Annanda Calitz at 051 401 3382 or alumni@fus.ac.za.

For information regarding the Kovsie Alumni Annual General Meeting, please contact Ms Annanda Calitz 051 401 3382 or Mr Lucas Radebe at 051 401 3751.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454

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