Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU’s) School of Humanities held a Memorial Public Lecture in remembrance of a cherished colleague, the late Prof Karen Haire, at the SPU’s South Campus on Friday, 26 May 2023. This solemn yet significant gathering was permeated with an air of unity, a gathering where family, friends, colleagues, and students reminisced about a woman who profoundly impacted many lives with her warmth, compassion, and unwavering spirit.
The lecture, titled “A Remnant of Celtic Sensibilities”, was eloquently presented by Prof Daniel Matjila from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Prof Matjila reflected sympathetically, yet earnestly on the life of Prof Haire, and her deep roots in both Ireland and Africa. A quote Prof Haire was known to say echoed through the room: “As Steve Biko said, I write what I like.” This was her tribute to Biko’s conviction that black people in South Africa could not be liberated until they united to break their chains of servitude. She loved Africa, and in particular, South Africa – its lands and its people.
The lecture was a hybrid event, accommodating both online and face-to-face attendees. Colleagues and students shared heartfelt messages with the audience, which included a family member, Ms Heather Davison from Ireland. One of her students, Ms Kamogelo Mogotsi, wrote a touching poem in her honour.
One other quote Prof Haire was famous for was “The oppressor said, ‘We have no history only mystery.’” This cryptic quote was her way of challenging the dominant narratives that often erased or ignored the rich histories and cultures of the oppressed. She pushed us to critically examine the narratives we consume and create.
Indeed, Prof Karen Haire was an advocate for mental and cultural liberation, often asserting that “Our minds and lives need to be decolonized.” This was her rallying cry for us to interrogate and reject the lingering influences of colonial mindsets in our lives, societies, and institutions. It is a sentiment that resonates profoundly, especially within an academic setting.
The Memorial Public Lecture was a testament to Prof Haire’s strong spirit, her enduring legacy, and the love she shared with everyone. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, and her memory will remain in our hearts forever.
