Decolonization of education is a term which is prevalent and far reaching. As a UCT alumni I was present when it came to bear as a discourse we are now having Nationally. As a History major I have to take a stand and accept that UCT at least in that art - cannot be faulted. It is a choice to study and more importantly what courses one takes. Thus, as a African I made it my mission to only study African history as during my pre university days we were given enough of the Eurocentric take on our own history. While obtaining my knowledge I have to say that we were introduced to how history has been distorted and the discourse which continues to this days favors the colonizers and apartheid beasts - funny how we evolved from being called savages, noble savages, kaffirs, boys - words will be words.
While pursuing my studies I changed faculty and the decolonization of education call and need became apparent. Studying law in South Africa demonstrates that we have a long way to go in the project of reclaiming our identities. I find it abhorrent that we spend one course studying our own law - which is not even given due respect by the legal structure. How is it that we can look at cases from a colony to improve our laws? When we have our own system of law which is founded on Ubuntu and places greater emphasis on the community. The laws we place so much undue care for being Roman Dutch, English and the common law are at odds with African Customary Law. The way in which the Constitution is worded makes it that such law can only be applied if the parties are living under such law - how Can we call ourselves African if we do not imbue all of our laws with Our own law? More salt to the wounds is further etched by the Preamble to the Constitution when they call for Ubuntu while at the same time forget the roots of such a way of life. Selective amnesia is the best way I can describe this injustice. to be continued once the holiday if you can call it that hangover has subsided.
KRS-one says ‘This body is the limitation of you, it is not your zenith - it is not your ultimate’
