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| Welcome |
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In October 2004, a steering committee consisting of eight people, Vuyani Booi, Philippe Denis, Sean Field, Nomvula Mbangela, Sekgothe Mokgoatsana, Mandy Gilder, Khanyi Ngcobo and Patricia Opondo, was elected to prepare the way for the establishment of an Oral History Association in South Africa. Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Argentina and Japan already have such a body. Oral history exists as a separate academic discipline since the late 1940s. It is practised all over the world as is shown by the number of people attending the conferences organised by the International Oral History Association (IOHA) every two years. South Africa had the privilege to host one of these conferences in 2002 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Why do we need a national oral history association in South Africa at this point in time? The first reason is that oral history initiatives multiply around the country as we engage in a collective effort to re-envisage the past in a way that encompasses all people, irrespective of race, culture, genders, sexual orientation and social status. A second reason for creating an oral history association in South Africa today is that, since the advent of democracy eleven years ago, our country enjoys unprecedented support from the state as far as oral history, and more generally the retrieval of our common heritage, are concerned. The 1996 White Paper on Arts and Culture and the ensuing legislation are a clear indication of this commitment. The newly constituted National Heritage Council has also pledged to support local, regional and national initiatives in the field of oral history.
Prof Philippe Denis |
A number of South African scholars attended the following conference in Rome, Italy in 2004 and others are due to attend the one in Sydney, Australia in 2006.