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25 August 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Bernedette Muthien
Bernedette Muthien is the author of Rethinking Africa, which critically opens new pathways for decolonial scholarship and the reclamation of indigenous self-definition by women scholars.

“Claim your own agency and power, no matter how challenging the circumstances. Violence and oppression stop with each of us. We ended apartheid. We will end patriarchy. And everyone will benefit from the end of gender and intersecting oppressions, to live their full potential in an equal and nonviolent society. We are making the change; it is coming; always have hope.”

This is the message to women from Bernedette Muthien, Research Fellow in the Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS).

For the past 20 years, she has conducted research on intersectional justice, a topic that is both scholarly, accessible to activists and others, and can be used to improve our communities, our country, and the world at large.

Muthien has written more than 200 publications, some translated into European and local languages, on gender, gender violence, HIV, Aids, poverty, and sexualities.

Additionally, she has published widely in peace and security studies, as well as indigenous studies. Some of her other works deal with human rights and justice, specifically the constitution and education in South Africa. "As a scholar and human being and being involved in the last cohort of youth activists against apartheid during the turbulent 1980s, I consider intersectional justice and constitutional rights of critical importance,” she says.

Restoring dignity to our people

One of Muthien’s most recent works, Rethinking Africa, is a collection of chapters by diverse indigenous women – from playwright Sylvia Vollenhoven, to academic Babalwa Magoqwana – reinterpreting our past from various women’s perspectives.

The book, conceived at the start of the pandemic lockdown and produced in less than a year, critically opens new pathways for decolonial scholarship and the reclamation of indigenous self-definition by women scholars. “It is long overdue that, as indigenous women, we write our own herstory, define our own contemporary cultural and socio-economic conditions, and conceive future visions based on our lived realities, which are social and gender equality, matricentric, beyond-heteronormative, based on nonviolence or peace, ecologically responsible, and goddess-loving,” she says. 

It is Muthien's commitment to her women ancestors and contemporary communities that inspired this work, correcting misinterpretations of indigenous knowledge, women's role in society, and colonially influenced patriarchy in our urban areas.

She believes one needs women at the centre of societies, co-creating social values and practices that are humane and nonviolent, that nurture and foster individual and collective growth, that heal and care, that do no harm, and definitely do not exploit. 

“There is enough light in the cosmos for all the stars to shine. One star’s light does not diminish the glitter of other stars, and shining together, all the stars united can be brighter than even the sun. Together, we continue to define our own herstories and scholarship for ourselves, as indigenous peoples in Africa,” Muthien was heard saying at the online launch of Rethinking Africa last year. 

Through this publication, she mostly wanted to convey that women are central to indigenous societies, and that our environment is alive and worthy of respect. In Muthien's view, humans, animals, plants, and the planet should not be exploited in any way but imbued with dignity.

Furthermore, she believes that we need to reclaim these core indigenous values and practices that have been corrupted by colonially inspired patriarchy. “As a result, we will eradicate gender violence and restore dignity to our women, our men, and to our people," she says.

Challenging colonially inspired patriarchy

The intent of Rethinking Africa is to contribute to scholarship. Yet the contributors are from different sectors, writing in diverse styles, making this work accessible to all audiences. “Photographs of sacred sites and rock art, as well as poems by leading indigenous poets, are included in the book, illustrating the indigenous intersections between scholarship, art, creativity, spirituality, and between individual and community,” she explains. 

The work specifically challenges colonially inspired patriarchy, including religious teachings about patriarchy, about the subordination of women, which contradict indigenous wisdoms of equality and women at society’s centre.

Muthien’s work, although challenging for some, does add value, changing people’s lives for the better. For decades, she has worked on consciousness transformation through scholarship and community work. She is of the opinion that mindsets need to change in order to change behaviour and society. “In this way, the change is deep and lasting,” she says. 

She is also a firm believer in less talk, and more strategic and effective action. “In taking action, one first decolonises the mindset; strip it bare of all internalised oppression. Then it is important to re-instil ancient indigenous knowledge, values, and practices. Also offer skills, networks, resources, to communities as they offer their knowledge to scholars.”

“In addition, leave concrete assets for communities,” she says. Muthien tells the story of a family in Andriesvale, deep in the Kalahari, who built their Kalahari Kombuis, which serves as their residence and a tourist entertainment and dining venue, funded by a small group of Dutch feminists who wanted to contribute to reparations. According to her, the building and the family and community thrive to this day.

And importantly, it is key to have compassion. “Always compassion,” she says.

Muthien offered Rethinking Africa as her contribution to the various communities she has served over decades since birth.

• The book is available in bookshops and online, and online around the world.

News Archive

SRC raises over R1 million for UFS underprivileged students
2016-01-18

R1.2 million has been raised by the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Student Representative Council (SRC) under the Right to Learn (R2L) campaign banner.

The SRC launched the R2L campaign on 30 October 2015,following the first wave of the #FeesMustFall movement protests against a proposed increase in tuition fees. The campaign was initiated to ensure that academically-deserving underprivileged students do not have to bear the brunt of deregistration, food insecurity, and the lack of textbooks.

To date, the student leaders have taken it upon themselves to appeal to lecturers, businesses, the community, and students alike to support its campaign. Each SRC member pledged R500 from their own purses when the campaign was launched.

Looking back at the #FeesMustFall movement

To the #FeesMustFall movement, which had gained momentum and resulted in a shutdown of many campuses across the country, President Jacob Zuma responded with a statement announcing a 0 % increase.

At the launch of the campaign, Lindokuhle Ntuli, the UFS SRC President, made a commitment to source financial aid for needy students.

“Even though the president said no fees will increase this year, we are still faced with the same challenges. No students who qualify should be de-registered this year. It is up to us to raise funds for the poor students to ensure that they get their right to education.”

Forward to the future: #AccessMustRise

By 4 April 2016, the SRC’s goal is to accumulate financial relief worth R5 million to counter the growing financial aid demand.

Given that more South Africans are extending a helping hand, the SRC President is adamant about gathering the sponsorships in two months. “It is possible if we push to market the campaign to gather R4.8 million,” said Ntuli.

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