Contradictions in Public Memory in Germany and South Africa

Contradictions in Public Memory in Germany and South Africa

Friday 28 March 2025, CAS Gallery, University of Cape Town

Co-organised by Duane Jethro, Katrin Antweiler and Nicola Cloete

South Africa and Germany have frequently been lauded for their approaches to responsibly dealing with their pasts. These historic lessons have been drawn upon as a ground for a democratic civic culture that links memory and heritage to identity and belonging. Yet the assumptions that have up until recently guided these dominant heritage and memory practices have to some extent been shown up as incomplete, paradoxical and at times contradictory.

The panel, jointly convened by Dr Duane Jethro from the Department of African Studies and Linguistics UCT, Dr Katrin Antweiler from the University of Bremen, and Dr Nicola Cloete from Wits University, drew on concrete examples from heritage and memory in the two countries, to explore such contradictions.

Discussion circled around, the promises vested in dominant heritage and memory cultures, the social and political orders they aimed to uphold and the futures that they purport to usher in. A lively discussion ensued, with scholars, students and practitioners offering feedback, comments and questions that enriched the exchange about the value of contradictions as a distinct and productive entry point into public culture, memory and heritage in Germany and South Africa today.

These exploratory questions will be further developed in a one-day symposium set to take place at Wits University later this year.