Honours Research Study Earns UKZN Student a Spot at ASRSA Conference
Honours Research Study Earns UKZN Student a Spot at ASRSA Conference
A research study motivated by an interest in the decolonisation of African traditional religions has landed Ms Siphosethu Fela at the 44th Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA) Conference at the University of Cape Town.
Fela, who is from the School of Religion, Philosophy, and Classics, presented her research paper titled: A Critique of John Mbiti’s Concept of “African Religiosity” and won the award for the best student presentation, attracting appealing offers from various institutions to pursue a master’s degree in 2024.
The conference’s goal was to engage academics on religion – both in southern Africa and abroad. Each participant on a panel gave a presentation based on the topic, Religion in a World of Posts.
Fela’s research aims to decentre the Western-Christian-centred geographical and epistemic roots of religion and how it has been deployed within John Mbiti’s definitions of African religious ontology and African traditional religions.
‘My study calls for the decolonilisation of Mbiti’s concept of “African religiosity”, recognising the significance of accounting for African religions using African epistemologies and paradigms,’ she said.
Fela added that problematising Mbiti is key to problematising what she has been taught, and an invitation to recognising how deeply entrenched she is in coloniality and bound by its epistemological chains, its brilliant effectiveness and resilience.
She expressed her gratitude to the University for the opportunity to attend the ASRSA conference, stating it has provided her with exposure to various scholarship areas in the study of religion and improved her standing as an emerging scholar. ‘I am humbled and encouraged to have taken part in this year’s ASRSA conference, a first of hopefully many to come!’ she said.
She is grateful for the opportunity to meet incredible researchers and learn about different scholarship that captures religion in Southern Africa and beyond.
‘I would like to thank Professor Federico Settler from the Pietermaritzburg campus; the entire Religion, Philosophy, and Classics Department at Howard College campus; as well as my supervisor, Rev Lauren Claire Matthew, for their continued support. It takes a village and I am eternally grateful!’
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied
