Ezra Hyland, teaching specialist in the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning brought Mbulelo Mzamane to speak with University faculty, staff, and students last week. Mzamane is a well-known author, academic, and activist from South Africa who made post-apartheid changes alongside former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Mzamane told inspiring stories of his time in South Africa serving with Mandela and energized lively discussion between students and staff on current political issues. Revolution and change, he said, is not something that requires bloodshed. Economic and social reconstruction cannot be achieved through military power, but through politics and the cooperation of the people. “Cooperation is the only way to grow ourselves,” Mzamane said, one of many inspirational and thought-provoking statements. To further explore South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, Hyland suggested Mzamane’s trilogy The Children of Soweto and The Children of Paradise.