Initially set for the second year of the postdoc programme, the Postdoc Colloquium took place in 2023, as a result of the academic climate at Stellenbosch University and the alignment of the research interests of our fellows. This decision was further motivated by AVReQ’s contribution to the issues of race, racism, and the quest to repair in the afterlife of violence. Apart from postdoctoral researchers, the colloquium had a particular focus on emerging researchers which include doctoral candidates, and early career researchers. Spearheaded by the AVReQ postdocs, this event aimed to engender a fertile intellectual space for an interrogation and reparative engagement with the injury: psychic, existential, and spiritual, wrought by centuries of colonial violence.

Marked by engaging discussions and profound insights that resonated throughout the academic community, the colloquium was an unequivocal success. Prof. Gqola’s keynote address was nothing short of inspiring, providing a compelling exploration into contemporary issues surrounding identity and society. With her expertise and the lecture titled “(Not) Picking on Colonial Wounds: Imagining Repair”, Gqola eloquently captivated the audience, laying the foundation for meaningful dialogues that extended beyond the seminar hall.

In addition, Dr. Njovane’s keynote address brilliantly illuminated the complexities of post-colonial identity, seamlessly intertwining language, trauma, and individual subjectivity. Her thought-provoking perspectives sparked rich conversations among participants, fostering an intellectually stimulating atmosphere that echoed long after the colloquium concluded. Panel and individual sessions delved into poignant narratives, exploring themes such as collective trauma in post-colonial African societies, haptic negotiations in literature, and the transformative potential of education in conditions of trauma. Other themes focused on silences, violent histories, and the reimagining of life and death, inspiring discussions that sought to dismantle, heal, and reconstruct narratives with a critical lens.

The colloquium did not only feature emerging academics such as Dr Azille Coetzee, Dr Anell Daries and Tjemolane Leballo, who are making strides in their research field but also the exceptional Makhaola Ndebele. In a unique fusion of art and insight Makhaola delivered a captivating performance of, “Cantos of a Life in Exile: Indigenous Performance Genres as Practice Towards Repair.” Cantos of a life in exile, is a chronicle journey of a South African living in exile, searching for a sense of belonging and home. For Makhaola, performing auto-ethnography allowed attendees to view and embrace themselves as “the other,” which provided a platform to express and give voice to their exiled identities through the narrative of their lives.

The success of this colloquium is a testament to the dedication of our postdocs who organised the event, speakers, the vibrant contributions of our participants, and the shared commitment to advancing critical discourse in our academic community. We look forward to building upon this success in future collaborative endeavours.

For more information visit the website here.