Africa Day 2011

CSSR’s Democracy in Africa Research Unit (DARU) participated in a vibrant exhibition celebrating Africa Day and showcasing UCT’s partnerships and collaborations on the African continent from 23 to 25 May. The DARU exhibit, which featured information about the African Legislatures Project’s latest findings as well as AfroBarometer, the Open Society Monitoring Index, and the project for Political Leadership for HIV prevention in southern and eastern Africa, attracted a wide range of visiting scholars, donors and UCT students many of whom expressed interest in joining DARU.

The week concluded with an exciting and well attended Panel discussion on the study of Africa in the post-colonial African university chaired by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo. Panellists were Prof Adebayo Olukoshi, Director of the UN African Institute for Economic Development, Prof Pearl Sithole of the Department of Community Development and Social Work at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Harry Garuba, Director of the Centre of African Studies at UCT, Professor Lungisile Ntsebeza, the holder of the NRF Research Chair in Land Reform and Democracy in South Africa based at the Department of Sociology, UCT, and Prof Leonhard Praeg of the Department of Political and International Studies at Rhodes University.