Prague, Czech Republic – Dr Danille Bester, a postdoctoral fellow at the AVReQ, recently made a significant impact at the 33rd International Congress of Psychology (ICP) 2024. Held in Prague from July 21-26, the ICP Congress is the premier global event in the field of psychology, attracting over 6,000 participants every four years. This year’s congress, under the theme “Psychology for the Future: Together in Hope,” saw Dr Bester presenting groundbreaking research that revisits overlooked histories and explores contemporary issues of identity and solidarity.

In her paper titled “Consigned to Oblivion: Revisiting the History of the South African Cape Coloured Corps,” Dr Bester delved into the suppressed narrative of the South African Cape Coloured Corps, a military unit formed during World War I. She highlighted how these Coloured soldiers, integral to the South African military efforts during both World Wars, have been marginalized and their contributions forgotten. Dr Bester’s research critically examines the racialized identity imposed on these men, arguing that their classification as “Coloured” was a colonial tool designed to divide and control people of colour in South Africa.

“Revisiting the history of the South African Cape Coloured Corps is an act of resistance against being consigned to oblivion,” Dr Bester asserted during her presentation. She emphasized the need for social justice through the recognition and dignity of these veterans and their descendants, advocating for a broader understanding of their history as an essential part of their identity.

In addition to her paper presentation, Dr Bester also presented a compelling poster titled “Advancing Black Solidarity while Coloured and Black during COVID.” This work used autoethnography to explore her experiences as a Coloured woman during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that intensified the visibility of race, gender, and socio-economic disparities in South Africa. Through the lens of Black Consciousness, Dr Bester examined how the pandemic amplified hostility and divisive politics, particularly among Black communities.

Her work argues for the need to re-humanize Coloured identity and promote Black solidarity, challenging the divisive politics rooted in South Africa’s colonial and Apartheid past. Dr Bester’s call to use the pandemic as a moment to reset and embrace an inclusive understanding of Blackness is a vital contribution to contemporary discussions on identity and solidarity.

Dr Bester’s presentations at the ICP Congress were met with enthusiasm, as her research not only illuminates neglected histories but also offers pathways for healing and unity in post-Apartheid South Africa. As a scholar at AVReQ, Dr Bester continues to push the boundaries of historical and psychological research, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized are heard and honoured.