Date: 9th – 11th September 2026

Theme: "Narratives of justice: Oral histories of humanity, the rule of law and voices of democracy"

Conference Overview

The theme foregrounds the powerful role of oral history as a tool for preserving lived experiences, advancing social justice, and deepening democratic engagement. In societies shaped by complex histories of struggle, inequality, and transformation—such as South Africa—oral narratives serve as vital repositories of memory, capturing voices that have historically been marginalised, silenced, or excluded from formal archives.

Oral history provides a human-centred lens through which the principles of justice and the rule of law can be examined and understood. It brings to life the lived realities behind constitutional ideals, particularly those enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, by documenting how individuals and communities experience rights, freedoms, and accountability in practice. These narratives offer critical insights into how legal frameworks intersect with everyday life, revealing both progress and persistent challenges in achieving equitable justice.

Central to this theme is the recognition of **ubuntu**, a foundational value that informs both justice and democracy. Oral histories embody this principle by emphasising interconnectedness, dignity, and collective memory. They allow communities to articulate their own histories in their own voices, fostering inclusivity and participatory knowledge production. In doing so, oral history becomes not only a method of documentation but also an act of empowerment and restorative justice.

Sub-Themes

Presenters from various disciplines are welcome to probe into this epoch of memory and critically reflect on one of the cross-cutting sub-themes below:

1. Voices of change: Oral histories of students' contribution towards democracy.
2. Repatriation and reburial of human remains: The ethical and interpretive challenges of balancing empathy and celebration.
3. Recovering silenced narratives: Stories of ordinary communities.
4. 30 years of the South African democratic constitution: Realities and myths.
5. Reflections on democracy, memory, and people's lived experiences.
6. Building a more just society: Equality and human dignity.
7. Using oral histories to strengthen democratic values.
8. Pitfalls of a post-democratic language policy.
9. Indigenous knowledge, culture and constitutional rights.
10. The role of culture and sports as forms of resistance.
11. Oral history in the classroom.

Submission Guidelines

Proposals are invited for contributions to the 12th Annual Oral History Conference. Although the conference is primarily academic, case study reports and other contributions are welcome. The contributions must be based on original work and have a clear focus on oral history.

Note: This is an oral history conference: Papers delivered must be based on oral history research and not only on published sources.

If you are interested, please send a short proposal including:

1. An abstract of your paper or case study report (100-300 words)
2. The relevant conference sub-theme.
3. A short biography of yourself (50-100 words).
4. Your contact information (name and surname, affiliation, postal address, e-mail address, and phone numbers)

• Presentation length: Not exceeding twenty (20) minutes, followed by a group discussion.
• Paper length: Final papers shall not be longer than 5000 words.
• Deadline for proposals/abstracts: On or before 30 May 2026.
• Notification of acceptance: By 30 June 2026
• Deadline for finished papers: 15 August 2026

Send proposal to: Ms K Sifunda on mashigok@mpg.gov.za
Mpumalanga Archives and Records Management Services
Tel: 0137667753 / 0646195009

Submission Format

• Name and surname
• Affiliation
• Contact details
• E-mail
• Telephone number
• Cellphone number
• Relevant conference sub-theme
• Title of your paper
• Abstract
• Short biography of yourself