Impediments to an Active African Intelligentsia in Championing the Africanisation Agenda

Abstract

Africanisation in its different facets has been a recurring theme in African politics. Africa has invoked this theme at different historical moments, albeit in varying magnitudes. The theme became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, when various African countries won their independence. The political and academic leadership found a point of convergence as they participated in the ensuing debates on how the Africanisation project would be carried out. Following the decision by the African Union to find “African solutions to African problems”, and in the aftermath of the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa, there has been a resurgence of the debate on the Africanisation of the curriculum. With a few exceptions, despite all these developments, the African intelligentsia seems to have been slow in championing the Africanisation project. This article looks at some of the impediments which the current African intelligentsia has to contend with. Drawing from distant and recent history, the article traces some causal factors of these impediments. These are discussed from a general theoretical perspective and by citing specific cases. One conclusion is that the African intelligentsia is not as active as it should be. The recommendation is that it should become more active and visible in order to earn respect and recognition.