Afrika, Africa, Afrique – HS 2024

Prof. Dr. Elisio Macamo
Sociology, Centre for African Studies, University of Basel, Switzerland
18. September 2024

Ziel dieses Vortrags ist es, die Gewissheit in Frage zu stellen, mit der wir behaupten, etwas über Afrika zu wissen. Dabei behaupte ich, dass herrschende Vorstellungen von Afrika für die Reproduktion der europäischen Darstellungen über sich selbst funktional sind. Ich beginne mit der Frage, was Afrika ist, oder was wir glauben, dass es ist, oder was wir glauben, dass es sein sollte; und ich fahre fort, darüber nachzudenken, inwieweit das Studium Afrikas grösstenteils ein europäischer introspektiver Blick war und ist, der in verschiedenen Stadien Eroberung, schlechtes Gewissen, Unschuld und sehr wohl auch die Bereitschaft, endlich den eigenen ethischen Standards gerecht zu werden, beschrieben hat. Ich werde auf Ideen zurückgreifen, die im Rahmen eines SINERGIA-Forschungsprojekts zum Thema "Reversing the Gaze" (Umkehrung des Blicks) entstanden sind, um eine Vorstellung von Afrika darzustellen, die sich den Kontinent als einen Spiegel vorstellt, vor dessen Hintergrund sowohl Europäer als auch Afrikaner lernen können, sich demütig auf die Geschichte zu beziehen.

Prof. Dr. Ernest Aryeetey, Emeritus
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana, Ghana
25. September 2024

Africa’s youth unemployment challenge is a major issue that requires urgent action. With an average of a little above 30%, this is one of the highest in the world with countries like South Africa (49%), Botswana (45%) and Eswatini (65%) having much higher shares. The rate is much higher for young women than for young men. The main causes include the lack of decent (low-quality) jobs, skills mismatch and barriers to entering the labour market. The youthful nature of the African population further exacerbates this challenge. Over 60% of the African population is over 25 years and the projections from UNESCO are that around 100 million young people will join the workforce by 2030, translating to over 10 million new job seekers each year. It has thus become urgent for policymakers to tackle this growing youth unemployment challenge, and this requires a correspondingly urgent response not just from the labour market but also from the higher education system that is expected to train a pool of adequately trained persons. Unfortunately, neither can tackle the problem comprehensively. In the labour market, most youth are employed in subsistence agriculture, which is mainly characterised by low productivity and low wages. Jobs in the services sector continue to remain informal. The formal sector does not appear to be an alternative, as UNESCO data shows it employs less than 20% of the youth.

Africa’s higher education system is constrained by the reliance on a traditional curriculum that sometimes appears disconnected from the real economy and society and cannot adequately reflect the needs of a changing world of work. Profound systemic changes are therefore needed to effectively tackle this growing youth unemployment challenge. For the higher education system, the co-creation of knowledge with the society (private sector) that meets the needs of the market and the future of work, strengthening of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the pursuit of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaborative programmes appears to be a significant part of the way forward. Entrepreneurship education, the promotion of programs that encourage self-employment (e.g., incubators/hubs) and the pursuit of programmes that improve the transition from education to productive employment (decent work) cannot be ignored. Finally, emphasis should be on improving the quality of education.

Prof. Dr. Chukwuma Okoli
Commercial Conflict of Law, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
2. Oktober 2024

This lecture provides a comparative analysis of the rule of male primogeniture in African societies, with a specific focus on the Bini Igiogbe custom in Nigeria. It explores the ongoing tension between conservative and liberal perspectives on customary law. Conservative views advocate for the preservation of traditional customs, such as male primogeniture, which can be discriminatory, particularly against women. In contrast, liberal perspectives promote equality and justice by seeking to abolish such practices, though they are often criticized for threatening the cultural fabric of African societies and being influenced by Western ideals. The lecture aims to examine the complexities of these competing viewpoints and their implications for the future of customary law in Africa.

Samy Manga
Writer and ethno-musician; President, Association Écopoètes International, Switzerland
9. Oktober 2024

Résumé du livre Chocolaté

De la plantation à notre tablette de chocolat, Samy Manga raconte avec brio tout un monde d’exploitation, à la frontière de l’intime et du politique.

À dix ans, Abéna travaille avec son grand-père dans les plantations de cacao, au Cameroun. Ce vaillant petit général des forêts équatoriales va vite prendre la mesure des dégâts humains et environnementaux causés par la monoculture de la précieuse fève à la base du chocolat. Alors que les pays d’Afrique fournissent environ les deux-tiers de la production mondiale de cacao, que se cache-t-il derrière le commerce de cette matière première parmi les plus prisées au monde ? Au Nord, petits et grands raffolent de desserts et friandises, mais sont-ils conscients de la misère que la « cacaomania » inflige à l’Afrique ?

À travers le parcours d’Abéna, Chocolaté nous révèle le côté obscur de la culture du cacao, emblématique des rapports économiques néocoloniaux qu’entretiennent les multinationales de l’or vert avec les pays du Sud. Pauvreté des producteurs, travail forcé des enfants, empoisonnement aux pesticides, contamination des eaux et des sols, déforestation massive, perte de biodiversité… Pour les pays producteurs africains qui ne touchent qu’une infime fraction des dizaines de milliards de dollars engrangés chaque année par l’industrie, la culture du cacao a un goût bien amer.

Dans ce récit vivant où s’entrecroisent habilement l’élan poétique, la transmission de la mémoire ancestrale et l’indignation politique, Samy Manga nous emmène au pays de son enfance, sous le grand manguier où se tient la vente annuelle du cacao. Au cœur de la nuit retentit son cri de rage devant la violence de l’exploitation des ressources et des humains du Continent Premier.

Finaliste du Prix des cinq continents de la Francophonie 2024.

Prof. Dr. Clifford Amoako
Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
16. Oktober 2024

African urbanism has been the subject of many global discussions, due to its associated challenges such as urban poverty, slums and crime, rural-urban migration and population explosion. In this presentation, I re-visit the historical development of African cities, the influence of colonialism; and the compounding impacts of global socio-economic and political systems on their growth, identities and functioning. I argue that, while Africa’s urbanisation has been the cause of substantial challenges, with a deeper understanding, recognition and acceptance of its uniqueness, it could be harnessed for the continent’s development. A new paradigm for African urbanism is a must.

Prof. Dr. Elmi Muller
Transplant Surgery, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
23. Oktober 2024

This talk explores the groundbreaking journey of implementing HIV-positive transplants in South Africa, a nation grappling with a “quadruple burden” of diseases, including a high prevalence of HIV. Beginning with the exclusion of HIV-positive patients from renal replacement therapies in 2008, I share how moral distress and the inequities of healthcare prompted the development of a pioneering program that challenges outdated assumptions.

Through the lens of personal experience, I discuss the barriers faced – resource constraints, clinical scepticism, and uncertainty – along with the risk-benefit analysis that drove the program forward. Despite these challenges, more than 70 successful transplants have been conducted, demonstrating that HIV-positive individuals can receive life-saving care with favourable outcomes.

This journey highlights not only the medical innovations but also the ethical and emotional struggles healthcare workers face in a broken system. As the futue of HIV-positive transplants expands globally, this talk calls for a re-evaluation of how we approach innovation, evidence, and moral responsibility in medicine.

Prof. Dr. Nicholas Ozor
African Technology Policy Studies Network, Kenya
30. Oktober 2024

Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) play a vital role in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. Through the strategic integration of STI, African countries can address its various societal challenges and promote inclusive growth and development. Attention to STI in Africa took the center stage in the 1980s with African governments making commitments through their Heads of States to allocate at least 1% of their gross domestic products (GDPs) to research and development (R&D) as well as scientific and technological capabilities in what is popularly known as the Lagos Plan of Action for the economic development of Africa 1980-2000¹. In line with the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980, the United Nations in 2015 adopted the SDGs as a blueprint for achieving a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. The SDGs provide a comprehensive framework for governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to work together to take collective action and work towards a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

STI is implicated in the achievement of all the 17 SDGs namely; 1) No poverty, 2) Zero hunger, 3) Good health and well-being, 4) Quality education, 5) Gender equality, 6) Clean water and sanitation, 7) Affordable and clean energy, 8) Decent work and economic growth, 9) Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, 10) Reduced inequalities, 11) Sustainable cities and communities, 12) Responsible consumption and production, 13) Climate action, 14) Life below water, 15) Life on land, 16) Peace, justice and strong institution, and 17) Partnerships for the goals. This paper explores how STI contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in Africa through practical applications and innovative solutions. African countries have been urged to develop appropriate policies and programmes that will utilize the power of STI because it contributes significantly to economic growth and enhances the competitiveness of African countries (African Union Commission)². STI-driven industries have the potential to create sustainable employment opportunities and reduce poverty in Africa.

The paper further emphasizes the need for increased investments in R&D, promotion of entrepreneurship and start-ups, technology transfer, STEM education and skill development, collaboration and knowledge sharing, public-private partnerships, and data-driven decision making to achieve an innovation-led knowledge driven economy on the continent. By fostering partnerships, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and building capacity, African countries can leverage STI to drive economic progress, social development, and environmental sustainability. With a holistic approach and concerted efforts, STI can be harnessed as a powerful tool to transform societies, reduce inequalities, boost prosperity, and achieve the SDGs in Africa.

Prof. Dr. Añulika Agina
Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria
6. November 2024

From major news headlines to highest box office records, Nigerian women filmmakers are challenging male dominance and breaking stereotypes in dynamic ways. This lecture builds on the speaker's engagements with women filmmakers to interrogate the growing forms of cultural enterpreneurship within Nollywood beyond existing notions of business strategies and feminist film production. What forms of agency, social critique and impact are permissible and evident in/through the films produced and directed by women and why? The lecture will analyse the film industry through the specific texts of two women filmmakers, Bolanle Austen-Peters and Funke Akindele, to demonstrate major shifts in the stereotypical roles of women behind and in front of the camera.

Dr. Sewoenam Chachu
French Linguistics, University of Ghana; currently University of Zurich, Switzerland
13. November 2024

Cette communication examine l'impact des politiques linguistiques en matière d'éducation au Ghana sur le développement linguistique des élèves, en se concentrant sur la manière dont ces politiques ont conduit à un phénomène de "pluri/multilinguisme soustractif" plutôt qu'à un "pluri/multilinguisme additif". S'appuyant sur une étude menée dans les dix régions du Ghana, nous explorons les pratiques d’enseignement dans les écoles publiques et privées, en analysant la manière dont les politiques linguistiques éducatives influent sur les pratiques linguistiques dans les écoles et sur les compétences plurilingues des apprenants. Bien que le Ghana reconnaisse officiellement le multilinguisme et inclut les langues locales dans l'enseignement au niveau primaire, la mise en œuvre de ces politiques a souvent abouti à une perte de compétence des élèves dans leurs langues indigènes, tout en favorisant l'anglais comme langue dominante d'instruction. Ce phénomène est caractérisé par la marginalisation des langues locales, reléguées au second plan du programme scolaire, ce qui conduit à un pluri/multilinguisme soustractif, plutôt qu’à un pluri/multilinguisme additif. Nous mettons en lumière les facteurs socio-politiques, éducatifs et pédagogiques qui contribuent à cette évolution et nous discutons des conséquences du pluri/multilinguisme soustractif sur le développement cognitif des élèves, la construction de leur identité et leurs opportunités futures dans une société multilingue. Enfin, nous proposons des recommandations pour ajuster les politiques en vue de promouvoir un cadre multilingue plus inclusif et respectueux de la diversité linguistique et culturelle du système éducatif ghanéen.

Prof. Dr. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza
Performing Arts and Film, Makerere University, Uganda
20. November 2024

While it gained political independence from the British in 1962, the Eurocentric legacy continues to define the branding, content and pedagogies of Uganda’s indigenous community music at higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite diverse musics and dances among the 65 Uganda's indigenous communities, the curriculum presents indigenous music as “African” and is defined in Eurocentric terms. As Uganda strives to free itself from colonialism and all its ruminants, it needs to decolonise its education system. There is a need to deconstruct the privileging of Eurocentric knowledge over that of the formerly colonised. This call has dominated the last decade's scholarship in universities in Africa. However, Africanisation as a strategy for decolonisation is not an alternative as it perpetuates Africa's essentialisation, obscuring the realities of Africa’s diverse histories, values, beliefs and, in this case, its music and, therefore, recolonising Africa. To decolonise the colonial narrative that centres on ways of knowing, teaching and learning Indigenous community music in Uganda from the Eurocentric lens, we must confront the “Africanisms” that have come to define what belongs to the people in/of/from Africa. The ethnomusicological understanding of music (and dance) as part of the Indigenous cultural heritage of the people of Uganda, which constitutes more than sound to include the process of its creation, consumption and interpretation in the various social, cultural, political and economic contexts, informs this lecture.

Prof. Dr. Chinwe Ifejika Speranza
Geography, University of Bern, Switzerland
27. November 2024

Agricultural land use across Africa needs to transform towards approaches that avoid deforestation and benefit biodiversity while supporting farmer livelihoods. Such transformation is crucial as agriculture often drives deforestation and biodiversity loss. However, balancing trade-offs between agricultural production and biodiversity conservation remains a critical and complex challenge, particularly for commodities like cocoa, coffee, and oil palm, whose local and international demand continue to surge. African countries use about 15.3 million hectares to produce these commodities, which contribute substantially to global production. Alone, cocoa produced in Africa accounts for 63–70 percent of the global production. Coffee and oil palm, which originate from Africa, play key roles in the socio-culture of various African communities while serving as sources of food and beverages, locally and internationally. All three commodities support local and national economies, providing income and employment for millions of smallholder farmers. This contribution examines various land use strategies related to these commodities and their intersections with proximate and distant factors, by discussing (1) how their land use has changed over time, (2) the interacting local and global drivers of land demand for these commodities, (3) farmer livelihoods, land management strategies and their environmental and livelihood trade-offs, and (4) how other social, economic and political factors challenge or foster sustainable land use across selected cases. The contribution concludes by exploring the implications for farmer livelihoods, consumers and the global commodity sector. It highlights various measures at local to global levels, including Switzerland, to promote sustainable land use practices and commodities.

Prof. Dr. Shahida Moosa
Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
4. Dezember 2024

Without doubt, the genomic revolution is poised to make the most important impact in Africa in the coming years. More than any other technology, genomics and related omics, have the potential to impact the health and well-being of our populations and will overcome the artificial and traditional barriers between infectious disease research and care and non-communicable disease research and care, even and especially in public health across the continent. Medical genetics and genomics have a unique contribution to make to these efforts: the intensive study of the human genome with a focus on monogenic contributions to rare diseases has already translated into discoveries and novel therapies for common diseases. This talk will introduce medical genomics from an African perspective and lay the foundation for the impact expected over the next decade.

Dr. Boniface Kiteme
Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development, Kenya
11. Dezember 2024

The world continues to experience transformations of nature resulting to unprecedented rates of land resources degradation and extreme weather occurrences with devastating impacts on nature and people. While elsewhere most of these transformations and their undesirable outcomes have been largely attributed to climate change, the human induced change and their interactions with nature hold a critical explanation in many developing regions like East Africa.

We use the vast Mt Kenya – Ewaso Ngiro landscape to demonstrate this. This landscape is characterized by a steep ecological gradient and has over the last century experienced phenomenal dynamics that are largely responsible of the present-day mosaics of land uses and multiple actors of diverse sociocultural backgrounds. These processes consolidate into different nature-people nexuses. We explore some of the most widespread nature-people nexuses in the landscape to demonstrate how, the so often underestimated dynamics characterizing these nexuses have contributed to the transformation and degradation of nature. Such nexuses in the landscape materialize through the three main actor categories represented by the pastoralists, the migrant small holder mixed farmers, and the large-scale farmers/ranchers. These actors are guided by different logics and supportive coping strategies to deal with the challenges of the prevailing agroecological variability with water as the single most limiting factor to all. The dynamic interaction between these actors result to different types of transformations with negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts that require lasting solutions.

The question therefore is what can be done to address these impacting dynamics. Interventions with the potential to slow down and eventually turn around these highly negative dynamics can be developed and successfully implemented. These should be based on innovative pathways, and not just follow the development buzzwords of the day. They must be knowledge based and designed on the principles of thematic integration, multi-scaler geographies and multi-stakeholders engagement. We bring in a few examples from our long-term research for development engagement in the region to demonstrate how this can be achieved.

Prof. Dr. Tobias Haller
Social Anthropology; Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland
18. Dezember 2024

Die Debatte bezüglich Nachhaltigkeit in Afrika ist geprägt von der westlichen Wahrnehmung einer reinen afrikanischen Natur, die von einer zunehmenden Bevölkerung immer stärker degradiert wird. Dieser Blick verschleiert drei Aspekte: Zum einen wird nicht erkannt, dass es sich nicht um eine reine Natur handelt, sondern um Kulturlandschaften, welche lange vor der Kolonialzeit auf der Basis von Gemeingütereigentum (engl. common property) durch die diversen lokalen Bevölkerungsgruppen geschaffen wurden. Ihre Nutzungsregelungen (Institutionen) für das Jagen, Sammeln, Nutzung von Weidege- und Waldbieten sowie eine vielfältige traditionelle Landwirtschaft haben das geschaffen, was die kolonialen Verwalter angetroffen und sich als reine Natur angeeignet hatten. Zweitens müssen demzufolge die vielfältigen Formen der kolonialen Aneignung von Ressourcen nicht nur als Landraub, sondern als Raub der afrikanischen Gemeingüter interpretiert werden. Drittens ist dieser Raub mit dem Ende der Kolonialzeit und der Unabhängigkeit afrikanischer Nationen nicht beendet, sondern manifestiert sich aufgrund der kolonial geprägten Struktur von Nationen und des Falschlesens von Natur in immer neuen Formen des ‘commons grabbings’. Dies zeigt sich in der Expansion von Naturschutzgebieten, Landinvestitionen und Grossinfrastrukturprojekten sowie auch in internationalen wie auch nationalen Rahmenabkommen für eine nachhaltige Nutzung wie die SDGs der UN und die damit verbundene ‘30 by 30’-Strategie (Schutzes von 30% der globalen Landfläche bis 2030). In diesem Zusammenhang könnte nicht von der Tragödie der afrikanischen Allmende, sondern eher von der Tragödie der geraubten Gemeingüter gesprochen werden, die zu Übernutzung von sowie Unterminierung von ehemaligen Kulturlandschaften geführt hat. Im Vortrag wird aber auch deutlich, dass sich lokale Bevölkerungsgruppen zur Wehr setzten und zudem Alternativen für eine nachhaltige Nutzung entwickeln, so dass eher von einem Drama als von einer Tragödie die Rede sein müsste, mit welchem Ressourcenraub und Degradierung auf dem Kontinent begegnet wird. Diese Sichtweise bezieht das aktive Handeln der afrikanischen Bevölkerung mit ein, die somit nicht nur als Opfer, sondern als strategische Akteure in Erscheinung treten.