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Public Forum:
"In Search of John Langalibalele Dube:
Oberlin Reconnects with Its Historic Role in the Freedom Struggles of
the African National Congress
Saturday, March 17
3-4:30 P.M.
Oberlin Public Library
Sponsored by:
Oberlin College,
African American Studies Department,
History Department,
O.H.I.O. with funding from the Ohio Humanities Council
For more
Information call:
History Department
Carol Lasser
440-775-8520
PUBLIC FORUM TO DISCUSS OBERLIN’S HISTORIC ROLE IN THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
MARCH 8, 2001--A public forum on history, heritage and film entitled "In Search of John Langalibalele Dube: Oberlin Reconnects with Its Historic Role in the Freedom Struggles of the African National Congress" will be held March 17 at the Oberlin Public Library.
African scholar Cherif Keita of Carleton College and Zaire’s filmmaker Mweze Ngangura will be joined by members of the Oberlin College African American studies department Yakubu Saaka and James Millette; the department of sociology’s emeritus professor Al McQueen; and the department of religion’s A. G. Miller, in discussing Dube’s role in an historic and contemporary context.
Inspired by Oberlin-trained teachers in his homeland of Natal, Dube attended Oberlin schools in the late 1880’s. He returned to South Africa where he served as founding president of the organization that became the African National Congress. In addition, he established the first Zulu language newspaper and founded the Ohlange Institute in Inanda to carry on Oberlin’s educational ideals.
Almost a century later, Oberlin College students, inspired by Dube’s legacy, renamed the main college administration building, Dube Hall, as part of their successful struggle to secure Oberlin’s commitment to South African divestment.
With the help of Keita and Ngangura, Oberlin is recovering its historic roles in the life of John L. Dube and the South African Freedom Struggle by documenting the reconnection between Oberlin and South Africa for a film to be presented this year at Dube’s Ohlange Institute’s centennial celebration. Forum attendees are invited to participate in the filming.
Media Contact: Debbie Pillivant
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