It is common knowledge that the continent of Africa is close to my heart. It may be Africa month for the rest of the world, but Africa month is every month for me. I have spent most of it documenting my experiences. It may be 02:45 this Thursday morning in Cape Town, but so what? I've entered that zone as a Writer I do not want to leave, at least not until I am satisfied with this article.
Time Magazine (South Africa)
On Friday, 3 May 2019, Prof Shadreck Chirikure, Head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cape Town, delivered the UCT Vice-Chancellor's inaugural lecture entitled,"Why does 'success' continue to elude contemporary Africa? Some insights from deep history and archaeology". The title on its own had already piqued my interest. One was expectant to hear what an archaeological intellectual toolbox may unearth. I was struck by the fact that, during the introduction, it was announced that, included on the serpentine list of qualifications, degrees, accolades and fellowships Prof Chirikure had attained in his career thus far, was a B Com (Hons) in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management from UCT. This is of particular significance, as will be highlighted later.
One of the gems from his opening remarks was him conceding, about his wife and partner, that it helps to be married to someone who is more intelligent than you are. This was just one of the traits which he used to praise her. His address dealt with various aspects which included the origins of Archaeology, perceptions of Archaeology in popular culture, the evolution of the field etc. According to Prof Chirikure, "In a way, it studies the experiences of past communities."
There had been a preoccupation with an array of studies in Africa which sought to show the grandeur of Africa's history. Examples of this were the stoned churches of Lalibella, Ethiopia (AD 600-1200), the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt (2600 BC), the famous town of Great Zimbabwe (AD100-1700) and trans Saharan trade which took place between circa AD 600-1700. However, how useful was this when juxtaposed with the current reality of some Africans, which featured poverty, unemployment, starvation and disease? This, he stated, is a question which has shaped his research since 2005. His methodology included the use of African languages and literature, African concepts and philosophies, Archaeological intuition and methodology as well as techniques from the hard and social sciences.
Perhaps one of the most pertinent questions he asked was whether or not the current education system has failed Africa. He highlighted the importance of producing Africa-centered knowledge as well as an exploration of fields which he thought would be important going into the future, among other things. There was also the pivotal question of what is to be done, or what could be done, by each individual in attendance?
Stone Church in Lalibella, Ethiopia (medievalists.net)
The second Africa Month event I attended was an Africa Month Public Symposium with the theme: Interrogating the role of Young Leaders in Pan Africanism and Regional Integration. This event took place on 10 May 2019 at the Baxter Theater in Cape Town. Scheduled topics to be dissected were African Integration and the Free Movement of People, Nationalism and Pan-African Citizenry, Youth Leadership in Business Innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Some institutions represented included the University of Cape Town, the UCT Convocation, the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Some panelists and speakers included the UCT Vice Chancellor Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng, Prof Eddy Maloka, Ms Dianna Yach, Prof Carlos Lopes, Mr Msingathi Sipuka, Hon Brigitte Mabandla, Prof. Faizel Ismail, Prof. Alan Hirsch, Ms Vere Shaba, Ms Boipelo Mabe, Ms Yolanda Mlonzi, Mr Edzai Zvobwo, Mr Mvelo Hlophe and Ms Asanda Lobelo, the UCT SRC President. Moderators for the sessions comprised of Dr Omar Badsha, Prof. John Ataguba, Prof. Sarah Fawcet as well as Dr. McBride Nkhalamba.
In her speech, Prof. Phakeng acknowledged pervasive inequality in South Africa and the class divide this creates, among other things. One of the most striking questions on the day was asked by Prof Carlos Lopes from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance: How do we move from a self-defeating attitude, to self-confidence, without self-deceit? This was followed by an explanation of the work which the school was doing to address the above question.
The most riveting session, either by design or pure coincidence, was the last session, which focused on Youth Leadership in Business Innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It featured a critical analysis of the educational system, our current crop of political leaders in Africa, as well as challenges such as the disparity of what I call the Talent Opportunity Continuum in Africa. Mr Edzai Zvobo correctly asserted that the continent needs to reject the status quo if we are to take our rightful place, not just as consumers, but also as producers of knowledge and technology in the global arena. Artificial intelligence, for example, was an area where the above was applicable.
I mentioned earlier that it was rather curious that, among the numerous qualifications and degrees to his name, Prof. Shadreck Chirikure also held a B Com (Hons) in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management. This is the same degree which I had enrolled for in June 2018. My life over the past few months has been nothing short of eventful, unpredictable and turbulent. Unfortunately, with only 4 modules to spare before I graduate, I have been financially excluded as a Postgraduate student from the University of Cape Town, a form of economic Apartheid. I share this pain reluctantly, not to elicit pity from anybody, but to bring to the fore my lived experience as a young South African student at UCT, passionate about learning, possessing an interest in the future, a passion for research and education in general, but also to stoke the fires of positive change. Ideally, no student in our country should experience the scourge of financial exclusion, among other things experienced at UCT.
I have made numerous attempts, both within the institution and externally, to resolve this issue, to no avail as matters stand. I guess what is even more frustrating is that I have already lost an entire semester, but there is still a chance that I would be able to graduate in December 2019, if I were able to have my historical debt cleared and registration as a student approved.
On 22 May 2019, we witnessed members of the 6th Parliament of the Republic of South Africa being sworn in. What was pleasing to see was a general increase in the number of young people. The likes of Vuyani Pambo, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, Naledi Chirwa, Peter Keetse and Fasiha Hassan were all part of the #FeesMustFall movement which led to free higher education for tertiary students in South Africa, up until undergraduate level. It was a just cause, necessitated by the need to acquire skills, knowledge and tertiary education being the only way out of the desperate circumstances many students and families find themselves in. The constantly moving technological frontier and the demand for a certain caliber of knowledge and qualifications are also a catalyst for increasing one's human capital, as is the case with myself. The lack of foresight to appreciate this produces a high probability of a future of unemployment and or redundancy.
I participated in the 2018 Traders Trophy Worldwide competition, which seeks to find the best trading talent from all over the world. At the competition, students are immersed into a simulated trading environment, where they trade equities. Students are then judged on risk management, customer service, market awareness as well as profitability. I qualified for the global final and finished 4th at the global final, just 3 points behind the winner, a student from the University of Cambridge. I was the only student from a university in Africa to achieve such a feat. I mention the above to indent the adage that indeed: Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Had there been financial barriers placed upon students to participate in the preliminary round, it is questionable whether I would have had an opportunity to showcase my skill and talent.
banking HQ
In the Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napolean, Karl Marx writes that," Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past."
My experiences are that of just one life, among many others. Solutions and ideas are not the preserve of any one person or institution. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP), among others, for example, have already played an invaluable role in my life. For this, I am truly grateful. However, I mentioned #FeesMustFall activists in Parliament specifically because they not only understand the challenges which students face intimately, but are also well-poised to bring about change: a just and equitable society where the opportunity to follow one's intellectual curiosity, to contribute to Africa's intelligentsia and to knowledge of humankind, to continue with one's studies up until PhD level, should be afforded to all who are curious, willing and able to work for that which they desire.
South Africa and Africa will continue to produce a young and energetic population over time by the millions. I believe in the dynamism of our country and continent. May our society make history by benefiting from leaders with the political will to act as well as harnessing the collective intelligence and efforts of our people, leading to ecosystems which will produce Africa-centered knowledge as well as Africa-driven technological advancement, development and innovation.
