The Archie Mafeje memorial lecture

AISA partnered with the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) to host the second annual memorial lecture in honour of Professor Monwabisi Archibald Mafeje. The theme of the memorial lecture was Education for development. Thememorial lecture was held at the Mthatha campus of WSU on 9 March 2011, and included an exhibition of the works of Archie Mafeje and a keynote address by Prof. Olujimi Adesina from Rhodes University. Dr Matlotleng P Matlou opened the memorial lecture by commemorating the life and works of Archie Mafeje, a Pan-African anthropologist. Professor Mafeje received many academic accolades for his contribution to the development of Social Sciences in Africa, and for his sustained leading role and support of intellectual discourse on social transformation. He was described as ‘an outstanding scientist, a first role debater, frontline partisan in the struggle for social justice and a gentleman of humanitarian principles’ by A Olukushi and FB Nyamjoh. Prof. Lungisile Ntsebeza from the University of Cape Town spoke about ‘engaging the poor in poverty reduction programmes’ with an Archie Mafeje approach. Prof. Ntsebeza pointed out that ‘land should be used to improve the lives of individuals through land livelihood’. Prof. Mbulelo Mzamane engaged the audience by talking about the use of Social Sciences for effective social transformation in Africa. He did this by providing a self-critical perspective lesson from Prof. Archibald Mafeje. It was Prof. Olujimi Adesina of Rhodes University, the keynote speaker, who illuminated the life, times and work of Prof. Monwabisi Archibald Mafeje from his first encounter with him as a student. The Archie Mafeje memorial lecture was inspiring and illuminating in describing the life, times and work of Prof. Monwabisi Archibald Mafeje, who always encouraged people to see social issues with a broader, informed perspective. The memorial lecture also commemorated Prof. Archibald Mafeje with an exhibition showcasing his life and time as an African anthropologist.