The Department is in mourning following the passing of our beloved colleague and teacher, Professor Harry Garuba, late on Friday 28 February 2020. Harry was a wonderful mentor. A deeply kind and wise teacher to so many of us, he also had a fierce commitment to the transformative impact of Africa-centred scholarship and a belief that the work of careful, revisionist scholarship could profoundly impact an unjust and unequal world. He was uncompromising as an intellectual and at the same time deeply empathetic. As a model, a teacher and a friend, his gift to this Department, and to a broad community of scholars across the world, was immense. His passing has left us shocked and devastated. Our hearts go out to his wife, Zazi, son, Ruona, and daughter, Zukina. 

In the days ahead we will be sharing ideas for how best to honour Harry and celebrate his life. To begin with, we will be gathering messages, recollections and tributes into a message book to give to Harry’s family. All are warmly invited to include something in that book, which will be available in the English Department reception area during the course of the next week or two. Those who are not in town are welcome to send messages in an email so that we can include them. (Please send messages with the subject heading ‘Tribute to Harry’ to Gilah Poggenpoel)

The English Department, along with the Faculty of the Humanities and the School for African & Gender Studies, Anthropology & Linguistics will be holding a celebration of Harry’s life on Friday afternoon, 6 March 2020, in the Centre for African Studies (CAS) Gallery. Details to follow.