Call for Papers: Celebration! The Importance of Sarah Bartmann in Black Feminism

San and Khoi Centre
University of Cape Town
In partnership with Department of Women and Gender Studies Nelson Mandela University

9 August 2022 marks 20 years since the burial of Sarah Bartmann. The moment of her burial marked an important shift in South Africa’s history as a nation. It signified a move towards greater national unity, marking the culmination of President Mbeki’s work to create one nation out of 13 separate administrations. What has received less scholarly attention is the importance of this moment in history, with all its contradictions, as a time when the Khoesan truly became recognized citizens of South Africa. Even less attention has been given to the way this moment marked the importance of Khoesan history within world history. The funeral of Sarah Bartmann attracted over 10 000 people from all parts of the world. Many of these were Black feminists who came to celebrate the moment at which Black feminism came into its own to truly become a global mass movement that was vibrant, passionate and diverse.

The 20-year anniversary of Sarah Bartmann’s burial is a worthy cause for celebration. Over the past twenty years, what has changed? What has stayed the same? And what are important strategic considerations as we move towards the next twenty years? We are especially interested in papers on the topic: The Future of Sarah Bartmann Studies. We would like to hear from younger scholars where they think Auntie Sarah will take them.

Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words by 10 July to:
shamila.abrahams@uct.ac.za