Congratulations to the 2013 African Studies Research Master's graduates!

The ASCL congratulates the Leiden African Studies Research Master’s graduates Iorver Ekeseh (Nigeria), Tanja Hendriks (the Netherlands), Michele Portatadino (Italy), Affoh Guenneguez (Côte d’Ivoire), David Drengk (Germany) and Rafael Verbuyst (Belgium), who received their diplomas during a graduation ceremony on 25 February at Leiden University. Unfortunately, graduate Ida Taraldsen (Norway) couldn't be there. The graduates, who started in 2013/2014, gave short presentations of their research projects. Iorver, who is also an artist, in his research focused on child art among the Tiv in Nigeria. Tanja went back to the children’s home in Malawi she worked before, and investigated the concept of ‘home’ (she graduated cum laude); Michele did research among political youth leagues in Mozambique (his thesis is a must-read for all those interested in politics in Sub-Saharan Africa, his supervisor Ton Dietz said), Affoh investigated the symbolic appropriation process of the former colonial town of Grand-Bassam in Côte d’Ivoire, and the impact of the town’s inscription on the World Heritage List. David dove into the history of (white) South African surfers in the former Bantustan (area for members of a specific ethnic group during Apartheid) Transkei. He has been offered a PhD position by Prof. Jan-Bart Gewald. And, finally, Rafael did research about Khoisan land claims in South Africa, and graduated cum laude. The title of Ida Taraldsen's thesis is: 'Who are you wearing? An exploration of expressions of identity among gay men in Cape town, South Africa'. After rave speeches by their supervisors, the graduates received caps from their former co-students (who will graduate in a few months) showing the flags of the countries they did research in.

  • The audience.
  • David Drengk presenting his research on the history of surfers in the Transkei.
  • David praised by his supervisor Prof. Jan-Bart Gewald, who has offered him a PhD position. In the background: Azeb Amha, coordinator of the Research Master's.
  • Affoh presenting her research on the town of Grand-Bassam in Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Azeb reading praise for Affoh's research and thesis.
  • Han van Dijk, scientific director of the Research Master's, reading praise from Iorver's supervisor.
  • Felix Ameka, Chair of the Examination Committee, offering the diploma to Tanja Hendriks, who graduated cum laude.
  • Michele explains his research among political youth leagues in Mozambique.
  • Rafael showing a picture of the Cape, one of the areas where he did research.
  • Azeb congratulating Rafael, who graduated cum laude.
  • Ton Dietz (director ASCL), Tanja, Affoh, Michele, and in the back: David.
  • Well done!
Posted on 26 February 2016, last modified on 11 March 2016