The Wretched of the Earth makes for public seminar

Guest Speaker: Professor Sabelo Gatsheni-Ndlovu of UNISA

Dieketseng Motsepe

On Friday, 29 August, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) held a public seminar focusing on the book The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon and its implication on leaders and transformation in the South African University. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of VUT, Professor Gordon Zide was in attendance as well as the DVC, Professor Kuzvinetsa Dzvimbo to welcome Professor Sabelo Gatsheni-Ndlovu of UNISA who came to share his perspective.

Professor Ndlovu, who works in the office of the Vice-Chancellor at UNISA, explained that one of the challenges of today revolves around decolonisation and shared five concepts around the debate: colonisation, colonialism, coloniality, decolonisation and decoloniality.

On speaking about the work of the well-known philosopher Fanon, he emphasised the question “What time is it?” and explained that Fanon spoke of time in terms of explosion. As we stand, we are at a time of explosion. Professor Ndlovu explained that there was a time when Africans were clear as to where they came from and where they are headed, and that we need to understand the time we are living in. He states that decolonisation today questions the rules of the game: “Who is leading the decolonisation of the students?” “Are you the right force to lead decolonisation?” and “What type of a University do you want?” One should collect the correct diagnosis to collect the right prescription, he said.

He concluded by saying: “Provoke action that encourages change.”