Original Date: Nov 1st, 2023
In this dialogue, Samukezi Mrubula-Ngwenya (Ph.D) shares her reflections on having to create gender studies modules at the University of Limpopo to revamp a program that was no longer feasible. The two majors in this newly revised program are History and Gender Studies (Bachelor of Arts Gender Studies and History). Mrubula-Ngwenya did a good job of contextualizing the university within South Africa’s geohistorical and social landscape. Pointing out the importance of having a gender studies program at a historically Black university that is situated within the rural landscape of South Africa, where patriarchy is the social order. Mrubula-Ngwenya intends on grounding the program in African feminism and Pan-Africanism for this reason. While there are institutional hurdles that she is confronted with the envisioned BA (Gender Studies and History) will be offered for the first time in 2025.
About Samukezi Mrubula-Ngwenya
Samukezi Mrubula-Ngwenya is a social justice activist who advocates for Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer (LBQ) rights in South Africa. She has a Ph.D in Political Science, University of Limpopo, where she lecturers and convenes the Gender Studies Program. A former Fulbright scholar, Samukezi also holds a Masters in Women and Gender Studies, San Francisco State University, US. Her research focuses on LBQ narratives and experiences, social movements, democracy and political activism, African sexuality and gender diversity. She is a member of South Africa’s Presidential GBV, Summit 2 Planning Committee, a technical committee member for Gender Desk, University of Limpopo that was officially launched in 2022. Further, Samukezi is the chairperson of a non-governmental organisation that advocates for sexual rights, and sexuality freedom Capricorn Ignited LGBTI in Limpopo.