In line with university measures, ASCL staff will work from home and can be reached by email. The Secretariat can be reached by email (asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl) or phone (+31 (0)71 527 3372). The library is open (reservation compulsory).
In January, the Zambian Government bought back two of the country’s copper mines which were privatised in 2000. The greatest impact of the mines on the daily lives of local residents is their impact on the local environment: air pollution and water contamination. The government’s decision to purchase the mines raises local expectations regarding its ability to ‘end’ pollution, Duncan Money and Jennifer Chansa write in their contribution to the ASCL Africanist Blog.
This volume by Jon Abbink and Shauna LaTosky explores the constitutive role of rhetoric in socio-cultural relations, and contains both theoretical chapters as well as fascinating examples of the effects of rhetoric used (un)consciously in social praxis. The elements of power, competition and political persuasion figure prominently. It is an accessible collection of studies, speaking to common issues and problems in social life, and shows the heuristic and often explanatory value of the rhetorical perspective. Of the thirteen chapters, seven are on African cases.
The African Studies Centre Leiden is sad to announce that Dr Bernard Berendsen died on 11 February. Bernard has been very important to the African Studies Centre Leiden, for a very long time. Bernard worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Head of the Africa Desk and Ambassador for the Netherlands in Tanzania (among other functions). He was a member of the ASC's Advisory Council and later of its Curatorium. He supported the integration of the African Studies Centre in Leiden University in 2016, after which he became the Chair of the new Advisory Board of the African Studies Centre Foundation. The ASCL will remember Bernard’s commitment, his wise advice, his kindness and his foresight.
On the occasion of the conferral of an honorary doctorate to Mozambican children's rights activist Graça Machel, a 60,000 euro fund has been set up to enable two female students from South Africa to study in Leiden each year. The fund was announced by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Joanne van der Leun, during the 446th Dies Natalis of Leiden University on 8 February 2021. Prof. Van der Leun presented the fund after Mrs Machel had been awarded an honorary doctorate.
Prof. Marleen Dekker has been appointed as the new director of the African Studies Centre Leiden. She will take up her new position on 1 April 2021 for a period of four years. Marleen Dekker is Professor of Inclusive Development in Africa at Leiden University. She will succeed Prof. Jan-Bart Gewald, who will continue as Professor of African History and senior researcher at the ASCL. The Board of the ASCL would like to express its gratitute to Professor Gewald for his huge commitment to the ASCL during his directorship.
