Biography

Elina Kamanga has completed her Master’s in Psychology with distinction. Her thesis was titled “Black Students’ Lived Experience with Racial Microaggression at a Historically White University”. The subject matter of racial microaggression has attracted a significant amount of devotion in academia, however, most insights have been gained from a predominately American framework. Elina’s research attempts to address this scarcity of local research by narrating the experiences of racial microaggressions faced by self-proclaiming Black students attending a historically White South African university where Eurocentric institutional ethos continues to be maintained. The privilege status of a White heritage in traditionally White institutions can prove to be an isolating and unwelcoming experience for most Black students. Thus, the aim of Elina’s research is to gain insight into the daily experiences of racial microaggression that affect Black students and the psychological, social or academic impact thereof.

Supervisors: Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Prof Anthony Naidoo

Email: elinakamanga@ymail.com Contact: +27 21 808 4032