Echoes of the past: Memory, Identity, and Heritage - September 10-12, 2025 | Thembisile Hani Local Municipality

The 11th Annual Mpumalanga Oral History Conference invites papers exploring South Africa's complex history of liberation, identity, and cultural heritage. This year's theme examines how colonialism, apartheid, and oppression shaped our collective memory while highlighting untold stories—particularly women's contributions to the liberation struggle and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems.

The conference seeks original oral history research across ten sub-themes including African spirituality, traditional leadership, language preservation, women's liberation roles, land dispossession, and indigenous knowledge systems. Academic papers, case studies, and research-based contributions are welcome, with proceedings to be published through OHASA.

Key Details:

• Paper submissions: August 15, 2025
• 20-minute presentations followed by discussion
• Papers must be based on oral history research, not solely published sources

This conference provides a platform to reclaim historical narratives and ensure that previously marginalized voices contribute to our understanding of South Africa's journey toward democracy and cultural preservation.