In November 2024, The Africa Institute (GSU) in Sharjah, UAE, hosted our postdoctoral fellows for a scholarly and cultural immersion programme. This new partnership was spearheaded by Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, SARChI Chair in Violent Histories and Transgenerational Trauma, and AVReQ director at SU. As Professor-at-Large at The Africa Institute, Professor Gobodo-Madikizela facilitated this initiative to promote intellectual exchange and foster collaborative networks between emerging scholars and the Institute’s academic community.

The participating fellows—Dr Akuch Kuol Anyieth, Dr Sophia Olivia Sanan, Dr Anell Stacey Daries, Dr Yumi Omori, Dr Melanie Cilliers, and Dr Veeran Naicker, engaged in a dynamic programme that included academic discussions, cultural explorations, and interactive presentations. Highlights of the programme included an introduction to The Africa Institute’s academic initiatives, a presentation on African and African diaspora studies, and a Q&A session with the Institute’s senior and postdoctoral fellows.

In addition to the academic engagement, the fellows immersed themselves in Sharjah’s cultural landscape. Visits to iconic sites such as the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, the Sharjah Islamic Civilization Museum, and the Sheikh Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies offered valuable insights into the region’s rich heritage.

The programme culminated in a series of presentations by the AVReQ fellows at The Africa Institute Auditorium. These presentations explored themes of violence, reparative justice, and African diasporic experiences, sparking thought-provoking dialogue with the Institute’s faculty, students, and fellows.

The Africa Institute is renowned for its commitment to advancing scholarship in African and diaspora studies, offering prestigious fellowships named after distinguished scholars, including Toni Morrison and Ali A. Mazrui. These fellowships provide a platform for researchers to contribute to critical academic conversations while fostering intellectual growth. The next round of applications for senior and postdoctoral fellowships will open in early 2025 for the 2026 intake.

This collaboration underscores Stellenbosch University’s dedication to academic excellence and innovation. As one of South Africa’s leading institutions, SU continues to champion initiatives that create opportunities for global scholarly exchange, particularly in areas of African studies and reparative justice.

This partnership with The Africa Institute exemplifies a shared commitment to advancing impactful research and dialogue that transcends geographical boundaries, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing historical and contemporary challenges.