4th
Regional History Society for
Southern Africa Conference
26-27 November 2025
Venue: Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University
Address: Eduardo Mondlane University, Main Campus, Av. Julius Nyerere No. 3453, Maputo, Mozambique
Conference Theme:
Independence and post-colonialism in Southern Africa
The year 2025 marks the jubilee of the independences of Angola and Mozambique. The independence of these Portuguese-speaking countries, contributed significantly to end colonialism and apartheid in Southern Africa. It marked a moment of euphoria and hope in regional history. With independence of Angola and Mozambique, freedom fighters in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, gained a strategic support they needed to advance their struggle for freedom. As result of combined efforts, Zimbabwe became independent in 1980; Namibia in 1990 and South Africa held its first multiracial democratic election in 1994. These long years of struggle for the liberation of southern African countries forged a sense of a common destiny and brotherhood among freedom fighters. This spirit of unity led to the creation of SADC as a stepping-stone towards regional integration aiming at contributing for the wellbeing and human dignity of regional people. However, soon, people became disillusioned with the post-independence period. The earned emancipation has largely remained flag independence because ‘development’ has not been achieved in most of the countries in Southern Africa and the reason is not far to seek. Coloniality (present day colonialism) is to blame for the apparent poverty and underdevelopment in the region. Reacting to this debilitating phenomenon state actors have resorted to various forms of resistance (decoloniality) to it (coloniality) but with limited success. Because coloniality is sustained by Western modernity, an integral part of the indefatigable worldwide capitalist system can only be managed but not eliminated. As all southern African countries celebrate the jubilee of independence of Mozambique and Angola, it is timely to rigorously debate on strategic interventions against coloniality in Southern Africa. Thus, the Regional History Society of Southern African (RHSSA) is hosting a conference on the theme Independences and post-colonialism in Southern Africa. We cordially invite you to consider joining us for this debate.
Sub themes:
We especially welcome submissions that address any aspects of the following sub-themes:
- Reassessing the historiography of liberation struggle in Southern Africa
- Independence, wellbeing and human dignity
- State and society in post-colonial southern Africa
- Democracy, political legitimacy, and state building, accountability
- Meanings of independence (economic; political; cultural),
- Regional integration
- State religion and society in Southern Africa
- History and education curricula in Southern Africa
- Climate, Environment, and societies in Southern Africa
- Women and Audiovisual Sources in the Colonial Periodical Press
- Archives and the politics of memory
- Southern Africa in global politics: warfare and state building
- Decolonization and the land question in post-colonial southern Africa
Keynote Speaker
Prof Arlindo Chilundo
Arlindo Gonçalo Chilundo was born in 1962 in Quissico-Zavala, Inhambane Province, Mozambique. He holds PhD degree (1995) by the University of Minnesota, USA, in African Social and Economic History, with a comparative area in Agriculture and Applied Economics. He is currently a freelancer consultant.
Conference Registration & Payment
Payments
To confirm your registration, please follow the applicable payment link option below:
- Conference registration fee (Southern Africa Residents): R2800
- International Conference registration fee (Registration fees in dollars): $175.17 (R3200)
- Postgraduate registration fee (Southern Africa Residents): R2600
- International Postgraduate registration fee (Registration fees in dollars): $158.75 (R2900)
Please note: We are aware that there are issues with some international VISA debit card payments, the preferred and best way to pay is with a credit card.
Accommodation Options:
Accommodation should be arranged by conference attendees themselves. Booking at the OTIA Hotel; Sommershield Guest House; Monte Belo Congress Hotel is suggested. However, should you be interested to lodge elsewhere one of the following places can be considered (In a range of 0-1km from the conference venue):
• Joli Guest House; Maputo City Lodge;
• Orquidea Guest House Spa & Restaurant;
• Kutenga Guest House.
For more information or any other inquiries contact:
Conference Administrator:
- Mrs. Yolandi Strydom ([email protected])
or the Conference Organizers:
• Prof Marlino Eugénio Mubai ([email protected]; [email protected] ) | Dr James Hlongwana ([email protected])
Interested in Society membership subscription?
CLICK HERE for more information and to subscribe as a member.
If you encounter any technical problems (forms completion or website connection), kindly contact Mrs Yolandi Strydom at [email protected]
RHSSA Steering Committee:
Prof. Elize S Van. Eeden (North-West University) | Prof. Gerald Groenewald (University of Johannesburg) | Prof. Marlino Eugénio Mubai (Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique) | Dr. Alfred Tembo (University of Zambia) | Dr. Shokahle Dlamini (University of Eswatini) | Dr. James Hlongwana (University of Zimbabwe) | Dr. Tshepo Moloi (University of Johannesburg) | Mr. Emile Coetzee (North-West University)