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22 February 2021 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Thabo Kessah
Prof Rodwell Makombe’s literary research focuses on a Facebook page that ‘reconstructs home away from home’.
Home is a complex concept, as it is not a physical place. This is according to Prof Rodwell Makombe’s recently published research article titled, Online images and imaginings of home: The case of Qwaqwa Thaba Di Mahlwa Facebook page. 

“The article looks at how migrants from Qwaqwa, now living in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and elsewhere, imagine Qwaqwa as home. Because they spend a lot of time away from home, they always have a longing and a sense of loneliness, as they live in places that are not home. They also have to find ways of reminiscing about their homeland. This study is about how they reconstruct home away from home. There are two approaches towards the idea of home. Firstly, home can be conceptualised as a familiar place and a place of origin that offers stability. Secondly, home is within them and they carry it with them wherever they go,” said Prof Makombe. 

‘Qwaqwa Thaba Di Mahlwa’  

The study focused on a Facebook page created by Qwaqwa migrants, called ‘Qwaqwa thaba Di Mahlwa’. “We looked at the images that were posted on this page and how they seek to construct Qwaqwa as a home. When a person posts a picture from Qwaqwa, everyone from Qwaqwa associates with the picture and are reminded of certain things from home. Migrants make homes out of this Facebook page and the page becomes a place where all can rally together and construct their home,” he added. 

The study is part of a broader book project titled Visual Cultures of the Afromontane, funded by the Afromontane Research Unit. 

Prof Makombe is an Associate Professor in the Department of English on the Qwaqwa Campus. His areas of research include cultural studies, postcolonial literatures, and cultures of resistance. The article was co-written with Dr Oliver Nyambi.  

 

 

LISTEN: Prof Rodwell Makombe on Qwaqwa migrants and their connection to home

News Archive

More accolades for Golden Key Chapter
2012-07-26

 
The Golden Key UFS Chapter Executive Committee during one of their community projects. Here are, from the left back: Billy Tshanjane, Mitz Dames and Lehlohonolo Mofekeng; middle: Keneiloe Kgnare and Siphe Mahlaba; front: Kim Drude.
26 July 2012

The world’s largest academic honour society, Golden Key International Honour Society, has again recognised excellence at the university, awarding the University of the Free State (UFS) chapter an International Chapter Service Award.

It is the third consecutive year that the chapter has received the award which is awarded to ten of the more than 375 chapters worldwide. Based on the society’s values of academic excellence, leadership and community service, the chapter was awarded 1000 US dollars (about R8400).

In March this year, the chapter received another accolade when Dr Derek Swemmer, Registrar and co-advisor of the chapter, was appointed chairperson of the governing body of the society. Dr Swemmer became the first South African to serve in this position of this prestige academic society.

Kim Drude, Golden Key UFS Chapter President, says the chapter will continue making a difference in the community. “We may now go out there and make the changes at our current major community service project, the Talita Cumi Orphanage Home and School.

"Commitment and dedication will always be rewarded and this award is an indication that our hard work has, without a doubt, paid off.”
 

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