UKZN Hosts a Memorial Lecture Titled “Celebrating 150 Years of Nokuthela Dube”

UKZN Hosts a Memorial Lecture Titled “Celebrating 150 Years of Nokuthela Dube”

The UKZN College of Humanities’ flagship John Langalibalele Dube lecture commemorated Mr John Langalibalele Dube and celebrated 150 years of Ms Nokuthela Dube’s heroic deeds.

Officially opening the event, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize said, these lectures have become a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering research interests across a spectrum of academic disciplines, including education, politics, religion, gender studies, and the social sciences. ‘The lecture series began without a dedicated book but has since birthed contributions from various academics through books and research papers which demonstrate the Institution’s commitment to preserving JL Dube’s legacy,’ he said.

Speaking on the silencing of women in South African history and the social sciences generally, Acting Dean and Head of the School of Education, Professor Vaughn John highlighted the women’s role in peace building and social justice in various spaces in South Africa (SA) and internationally. Calling for more recognition of women who have and are making a positive impact in SA, he said, ‘It is important to recognise these women’s central roles in struggles for justice, peacebuilding, and humanising in families and communities.’ At a personal level, John encouraged young people to construct their own local histories by researching and writing about people in their families and communities, recognising their wisdom and roles as this is part of decolonial scholars’ critical remembrance.

The keynote speaker for this year’s J L Dube Memorial Lecture, Professor Siphamandla Zondi of the University of Johannesburg, first, dedicated a poem titled Threading in Shifting Sands to John Langalibalele and Nokuthela Dube, reflecting on the duo’s hopes and dreams for the country to succeed against societal challenges such as poverty, inequality, unemployment, despair, social anger, violence, crime, corruption, and incompetence. He posed the question: ‘Must we put our heads together and see who could be motivated by what they wished for, which still hasn’t happened precisely as they had wanted up to this point, or do we turn a blind eye?’ He praised Nokuthela for what she accomplished despite the challenging circumstances of colonialism and racial oppression, prompting the question, ‘Why can’t I do the same for my community?’ as he believes this is an important question for everyone.

The first respondent to the keynote lecture, Professor Cherif Keita, the William H. Laird Professor of French and the Liberal Arts at Carleton College, believes that he was called upon by his African ancestors to play a significant role in reconnecting SA to the full story of its liberation pioneers. He shared his journey of working together with UKZN and other organisations, turning this journey into the collective consciousness and imagination of SA and the world. Concluding his response, he appealed for a statue of Nokuthela to be erected at Ohlange High, making her more present for the current and future generations of teachers and learners at the schools. ‘This act would help bring the unique African story of triumph over the forces of darkness into the most glorious light,’ added Keita.

The second respondent, Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa, Dean and Head of the School of Arts, referred to a documentary on the life of Nokuthela screened at the 2022 Durban International Film Festival. ‘This 2022 documentary produced by five South African females, Ms Asanda Sizane, Ms Busi Sizane, Ms Florence Masebe, Ms Masaba Mbangeni, and Ms Siphokazi Johannes, who have also written a book that is currently in the fourth reprint, proves how much the people have interest in the life of Mama uNokuthela,’ she added.

Professor Relebohile Moletsane, the John Langalibalele Dube Chair in Rural Education in the School of Education shared a brief history of the Lecture in the College of Humanities, highlighting its significant contribution to the UKZN research and community engagement project. Attributing the success of the annual lecture to the support of the University community, she commented, ‘Thank you to the Dube family for their continuous support over the years as well as the backing and direction of Professor Mkhize, and that of the Deans and administration of the School of Education and the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics,’ she said.

Mkhize’s final call to action to those gathered was ‘I challenge each of us to open our doors to new voices and fresh perspectives to actively involve those who wish to contribute.’ His advice was that we should not only commemorate the past but also look to the future and consider ways to ensure the continued success and sustainability of this lecture series.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photographs: Supplied