The Quest : The Underdevelopment of Postcolonial Africa

Abstract

Seife Tadelle Kidane is the Director of the Center for Governance and Intra-Africa Trade Studies (CGIATS) at the University of Johannesburg and an Associate at the Institute of Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC). He also chairs ACESS: Africa Connect E-commerce Seamless Solutions, an initiative dedicated to advancing the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). Dr. Seife has authored numerous scholarly publications in the fields of postcolonial African social and political philosophy, indigenous knowledge, contemporary African governance, and international relations. His professional experience spans national, regional, and global institutions, including leadership roles such as former head of the Pan African Youth Movement (PYM), President of the African Youth Peace Council (AYPC), Vice President of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), and leadership positions in civil society organizations such as Africa Speaks and the Great Run Africa. He has also contributed to the African Union and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). With over twenty-five years of engagement across public, private, academic, and non-state sectors in Africa, Dr. Seife brings a uniquely grounded perspective to his work. He identifies primarily as an African thinker, transcending ethnic, political, and religious categorizations. His scholarship is informed by both rigorous academic inquiry and extensive practical experience, reflecting a commitment to Pan-Africanism and transformative governance. Zaira Solomons is a senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD from Coventry University and received the prestigious Leverhulme Study Abroad Studentship. She is a decolonial scholar with an emphasis on gender parity and STEM. This edited collection emerged as a result of an international conference she organised during her research sabbatical at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. It weaves together voices from distinct South-North perspectives on matters relating to minorities and STEM, sexual diversity and inclusion, as well as the political economy and equity. “This book is a considered contribution to ongoing discussions and debates about inclusion and equity. A timely addition to the literature with important insights into under-researched challenges.” Billy Wong Professor of Education and Director of Research and Evaluation (Access & Participation) at University of Reading, UK & Editor for British Educational Research Journal (BERJ) “In addition to being a political project that stresses the prospect of a just future, this book encourages us to pursue the possibilities of gender and epistemological justice. The contributions emphasise the necessity of persistently challenging colonial and patriarchal systems, drawing upon a thorough decolonial feminist overview. The book emphasises the value of elevating marginalised voices, perspectives, and knowledge as well as the skewed and invisible histories and contributions of women and all other disenfranchised people both in Africa and across the world.” Puleng Segalo Professor of Social Psychology & Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair at University of South Africa “The authors tackled their respective topics from fresh and unique angles and should be congratulated for their contributions. This collection is aimed at providing valuable insights for anyone interested in ongoing work concerning decoloniality, gender equity and diversity.” Leigh Ann van der Merwe Founder of Social, Health & Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender Women of Africa & South African Commissioner for Gender Equality