DECOLONISATION OF SPACES @ AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

THE RANAMING OF UNIVERSITIES SPACES AS A DECOLONISATION PROJECT

1. Decolonisation and Africanisation: Universities in Africa have a responsibility to decolonise and Africanise their curricula, policies, and practices. This includes recognising and honouring the contributions of African freedom fighters and heroes, rather than solely celebrating colonial names and heroes.

2. Restoring African identity and pride: By honouring African freedom fighters and heroes, universities can help restore African identity and pride. This is particularly important in the context of Africa’s complex history, where colonialism and apartheid sought to erase African cultures, languages, and identities.

3. Promoting African knowledge systems and epistemologies: African freedom fighters and heroes often drew on African knowledge systems and epistemologies to inform their struggles for liberation. By honouring these individuals, universities can promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of African knowledge systems and epistemologies.

4. Countering colonial and apartheid narratives: For too long, colonial and apartheid narratives have dominated the history and heritage of Africa and South Africa. By honouring African freedom fighters and heroes, universities can help counter these narratives and promote a more nuanced and accurate understanding of African history and heritage.

5. Inspiring future generations: By honouring African freedom fighters and heroes, universities can inspire future generations of Africans to take pride in their heritage and to strive for excellence in their fields.

EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN HEROES TO USE IN THE RENAMING PROCESS

1.Nelson Mandela (South Africa): Anti-apartheid revolutionary and former President of South Africa.

2.Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana): Pan-Africanist and first President of Ghana.

3. Patrice Lumumba (DRC): Anti-colonial leader and first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

4.Steve Biko (South Africa): Anti-apartheid activist and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement.

5.Thomas Sankara (Burkina Faso): Pan-Africanist and former President of Burkina Faso.

6. Samora Machel (Mozambique): Anti-colonial leader and former President of Mozambique.

7. Amílcar Cabral (Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde): Anti-colonial leader and founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.

DOCOLONISED EDUCATION

Decolonisation in education entails challenging the dominant European knowledge systems and promoting African indigenous knowledge systems. The following can assist towards a decolonised African knowledge system:

1.Curriculum reform: Incorporating diverse perspectives and histories into the curriculum.

2. Indigenous knowledge systems: Recognising and valuing indigenous knowledge systems and practices.

3. Decolonising pedagogy: Encouraging critical thinking, reflection, and activism in the classroom.