Abstract
The UJ Faculty of Humanities, the Transformation Unit and
the UJ Library in partnership with Seriti sa Sechaba Publishers
invite you to a discussion with
CHRISTINE QUNTA
the author of Why we are not a nation. ABOUT THE BOOK: The book is a collection of essays which deal with issues that are both topical and intractable. Through
the essays the author demonstrates why we struggle to be a nation. In the title essay she examines a series of high-profile case
studies that she calls “markers of disparateness”. In another, she looks at the politics of hair, drawing parallels between the fate
of Sarah Baartman and the wearing of weaves in contemporary society. Finally, she offers a sometimes light hearted account of
her experiences of running a legal practice at the dawn of democracy and having to overcome barriers of race and colour.
“Christine has through her collection of essays, given life to a Swahili proverb that says “Life can be understood backwards,
but we live it forward”. These essays help Africans look backwards and walk forward – out of slavery, of self-hate, apartheid and
colonialism. She lays the foundation for Reconstruction and Development Programme of our spirit, mind and body as black people,
of Africans to be humane to ourselves. She has given me the opportunity to think deeply once more.” Mongane Wally Serote
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christine Qunta is an attorney and author. She was an activist in the Black Consciousness Movement
during the 1970s and spent 17 years in exile before moving to South Africa in 1993. She has served on a number of public and
private boards and participated in several policy and legislative reforms during the first fifteen years of democracy. She started
law firm Qunta Inc in 1995 and was its senior partner until 2008. She is the CEO of Pholosang BEE Resolution Services (Pty) Ltd,
a multidisciplinary consultancy focused on BEE.
PANELISTS:
Dumisani Hlophe – Researcher, Commentator and Founder and
Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Kunjalo Centre for Development Research (KCDR)
Dr Khumisho Moguerane – Senior Lecturer: Department of Historical Studies, UJ
Prof Nyasha Mboti – Head of Department: Department of Communication Studies, UJ
DATE 10 May 2016 / 18:00 for 18:30
VENUE APK Library Auditorium (6th Floor), University of Johannesburg
(corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg)
RSVP By Monday 9 May 2016 to Theodorah Modise at licevents@uj.ac.za or 011 559 2264