The Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Social Justice and Transformation Department recently hosted the Decolonisation Workshop, featuring Mr. Quintin Senekal, a Communication Lecturer at VUT, who presented his study titled: Decolonising the South African Higher Education Curriculum: An Investigation into the Challenges.

In his opening remarks, Mr. George Mvalo, the Director for Social Justice and Transformation extended a warm welcome, emphasising the importance of deepening the conversation on decolonisation and advocating for the inclusion of student voices in these discussions. “Such engagement is crucial for fostering the transformation needed to steer the institution towards a future that is inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives,” he said. This, he argued, is particularly vital in ensuring that the curriculum is not only modernised but also rooted in African values and contexts.

Mr. Senekal’s presentation delved into his research findings, underscoring the need for the curriculum to be Africanised, rather than being overly influenced by European or American systems. He pointed out that, despite efforts to localise learning materials, the theoretical foundations often remain rooted in Western paradigms. This, he noted, poses significant challenges, including the scarcity of indigenous theories, epistemological barriers, and resistance to change.

He further elaborated on the concepts of deconstruction and reconstruction within the curriculum, highlighting that while the intention to decolonise exists, there is often a lack of commitment to implementing these plans. Mr. Senekal also urged the audience to begin the process of decolonisation with themselves, advocating for the introduction of Africanised content from the foundational levels of education through to tertiary qualifications. He acknowledged that while Western education cannot simply be replaced, a curriculum grounded in African roots can and should be developed.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for attendees to engage in this critical discourse, with many contributing their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on how to advance the decolonisation of the curriculum.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Mvalo expressed a strong interest in continuing to promote such discussions. He highlighted the importance of stimulating debate, fostering ground-up engagement, and involving key stakeholders in the process to ensure that the decolonisation of the curriculum becomes a reality at VUT.

This workshop was the second instalment of the Decolonisation Workshop series that was launched in August. The first one featured Dr. Chemunondirwa Christopher Chitumwa, the Head of Department of Education whose presentation was titled: “Decolonising the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Curriculum at one University of Technology.”

This initiative highlights VUT’s commitment to driving change in thought, encouraging inclusivity, and ensuring that the curriculum is both relevant and empowering for its students.