Father, author, educationist, artist and activist Es'kia Mphahlele was recently celebrated at the Unisa North-Eastern Regional Hub in Polokwane for his role as the Father of African humanism and one of the founding figures of modern African literature.

Mphahlele, a towering figure in modern African literature and humanism, was remembered in high esteem. Born on 17 December 1919, in Marabastad, Pretoria, Mphahlele's work has left an indelible mark on African literature and intellectual thought. His seminal works, including Down Second Avenue and In Corner B, continue to inspire and resonate across generations.

Bottom, from left: Dr Lesiba Molepo, Prof Siphamandla Zondi, Prof Puleng LenkaBula and Prof Zethu Cakata
Back, from left: Prof Moloko Sepota, Dr Valery Mashiane and Prof Solomon Magano 

Unisa holds the annual Es'kia Mphahlele Lecture to honour his legacy and acknowledge his contributions to literary discourse, generate debate that contributes to public discourse, promote academic intellectualism, stimulate intellectual dialogue on literary discourse and contemporary issues, as well as to advance Unisa's social impact through teaching and learning, critical research and engaged scholarship.

In her welcome address, Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor (PVC), Prof Puleng LenkaBula, emphasised the importance of remembering and celebrating figures like Es'kia Mphahlele. "We are here to celebrate a distinguished son of the Limpopo Province, one who blazed and trailed and left lasting legacies in literature, academia and politics. For the past 14 years, we have consistently travelled between Tshwane and Polokwane on this pilgrimage to our Northern Eastern Region to pay homage to Professor Mphahlele," said the PVC.

Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula

LenkaBula reaffirmed Unisa's commitment to preserving Mphahlele's legacy, stating: "If this 15th memorial lecture demonstrates anything, it is Unisa's undisputed commitment to keep alive and intact the memory and the legacy of the great scholar and thinker that Mphahlele was."

Bringing consciousness of what it means to be African

This year's distinguished speaker, Prof Siphamandla Zondi, delivered an insightful and compelling address on the theme "The African writer as a prophet and social critic in contemporary times". As the Director of the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg, Zondi brought a wealth of expertise and perspective to the discussion.

He examined how Mphahlele's work continues to resonate as a form of social critique and prophetic insight, reflecting on the struggles and triumphs of contemporary African societies. "The setting up of African literature is to replace tribal literature that is to supplant colonial identities, making possible being decolonial," he said.

Prof Siphamandla Zondi, Director of the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation.

Quoting Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer, Zondi reflected: "Through his works, Mphahlele brought the consciousness of what it means to be African, combining personal experiences and the collective fight against apartheid. He was provoked to fight before he was inspired to write."

"As we celebrate Ntate Eskia Mphahlele, let us remember what he stood for. We can contribute meaningfully to advance African intellectual traditions as part of a planetary epistemic struggle for liberation. We can teach and integrate the thinking of Ntate Mphahlele and others into our thinking, research and teaching," said Zondi.

A dynamic panel discussion by Prof Zethu Cakata, a scholar in decoloniality from the College of Human Sciences at Unisa, and Dr Valery Mashiane, an English Studies Lecturer at the University of Limpopo, further enriched the event. The panellists engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue about the themes presented in Zondi's address, offering diverse perspectives on the intersections of literature, prophecy and social critique.

The discussion was characterised by its depth and relevance, reflecting on how Mphahlele's ideas continue to influence contemporary literary and social thought. A facilitated question-and-answer session, led by programme director Dr Thulile Shandu-Phetla, allowed attendees to engage directly with the panellists, contributing to a rich exchange of ideas and reflections.

The evening also included an emotional audio-visual presentation in remembrance of the late Lesetja Ramokolo, a former student of Mphahlele and a valued member of the adjudication panel for the North Eastern Region Es'kia Mphahlele Reading and Writing Competition. The tribute served as a reminder of the lasting influence of Mphahlele's work and the individuals who have carried forward his legacy.

Among the many highlights of the 15th Es'kia Mphahlele Annual Memorial Lecture was the much-anticipated announcement and awarding of prizes for the Es'kia Mphahlele Reading and Writing Competition. This segment, presented with enthusiasm and grace by Mercy Mokgele, was a vibrant celebration of young literary talent and a testament to the event's commitment to fostering new voices in literature.

The evening was wrapped up with heartfelt remarks from Rorisang Maruatona-Mphahlele, representing the Mphahlele family, who expressed gratitude for the continued celebration of Es'kia Mphahlele's contributions. "Let us remember that becoming is not about the paths laid for us but the courage to create our own. Let us honour the journey of those who came before us and carry their legacy forward so that future generations can continue the process of becoming wiser, stronger and more compassionate," he said.

As Unisa looks forward to future editions of this prestigious lecture, the reflections and discussions from this year's event will undoubtedly continue to inspire and inform scholarly and public discourse. The celebration of Es'kia Mphahlele's legacy remains a vital part of advancing intellectual thought and promoting a deeper understanding of the role of literature in shaping social and cultural landscapes.

* By Rememberance Manganyi, Intern Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

** Photography by Ian Mabaso