On 17 to 19 October 2022, the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) School of Humanities in collaboration with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) hosted the 2nd annual Dit is ’n Noord-Kaap Ding colloquium.
Academics, students, and guests from higher institutions of learning in southern Africa, namely Botswana and Namibia, attended and presented on various themes related to the landscape, history, cultures, and languages of the Northern Cape at the colloquium.
The Dit is ’n Noord-Kaap Ding colloquium is an academic gathering that brings together stakeholders from various spheres whose work focuses on the Northern Cape. The colloquium also allows for in-depth arguments and analysis of the beneficiation for the people of the Northern Cape and their diversity.
Day one of the programme kicked off with a welcome address by Dr Lorato Mokwena and an official opening by the Rector of UWC Prof Tyrone Pretorius, and SPU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Andrew Crouch. Part two of the day one programme included the screening of The Broken String, a documentary film that reflects on past and current injustices endured by the Bushman (San) people in South Africa.
The presenters for theme one, Khoi San languages in Southern Africa, discussed the ongoing fight to preserve and the development of indigenous languages in the Northern Cape. Speakers presented on the current linguistic situation of Khoisan in Southern Africa, including a proposal of a harmonised orthography for Nama that is spoken in South Africa.
Theme two discussed contemporary challenges of the province. Under this theme, presentations explored how the conceptualisation of existing notions particularly masculinity and apartheid are challenged and expanded. One presentation explored how forms of masculinities are performed and contested through dances such as rieldans, koordans and sexdans.
On day two of the colloquium, presenters talked on the theme, Legacies. Against this theme, historians and archaeologists provided insights related to the Northern Cape’s history of mining.
Resistance against coloniality was the fourth theme of the colloquium and presentations under this theme explored the resistance against coloniality from a Northern Cape perspective. One presentation explored how Bhud Mbelle used sports to counteract the influence of colonialism during Kimberley’s diamond rush. Another presentation illustrated and discussed how the rieldans is used to resist the ‘Coloured’ identity.
The final day of the colloquium concluded with a presentation under the theme, Community Engagement. The presentation on this theme explored what a just energy transition entails for the community of Loeriesfontein in the Northern Cape.
The Dit is ‘n Noord-Kaap Ding colloquium continues to evoke insightful and thought-provoking conversations and seeks to find tangible solutions to the challenges faced by the diverse Northern Cape province and its people.
The presentations are available on YouTube:
Day 1:
Day 2
