Lecture symbolises reconnecting Africa, diaspora in new ways: Prof. Barriteau

THE ‘Global Africa: Imagining a New Future’ lecture was the first solid step taken by the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus in its efforts to redefine the African story after signing a Memorandum of Agreement.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau, expressed delight at that campus’ ability to host this lecture. It was delivered on Monday by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Ihron Rensburg, at the Walcott Warner Theatre of the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination. Among the attendees was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Maxine McClean and Director of the Commission for Pan African Affairs, Dr. Deryck Murray.

Barriteau, in her remarks, told the gathering, “We are very delighted because just hours after signing a Memorandum of Agreement establishing the UWI Johannesburg Institute for Global African Studies, the campus can offer a lecture by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ihron Rensburg. The lecture symbolises reconnecting Africa and its diaspora in new and imaginative ways.”

She added, “In terms of what we have heard today, we are at a critical juncture in this new intellectual discourse. We have to define African and diasporic thought and create new conceptual vocabularies and new methodologies for the necessary work to be done.”

Also delivering remarks, UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, shared his delight about the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and that Professor Rensburg was present to give the lecture.

“He has agreed that we will establish this UWI/ Johannesburg Institute for Global African Studies that will look at the modern post-apartheid, post-colonial African world in different ways. We will not allow them to define our narrative. We will set the agenda to how we go into this long 21st century on our terms, with our ideas.” (MG)