The 4th Toyin Falola International Conference, Durban, South Africa-SECOND DAY
The second day of the conference was organised into morning, afternoon and evening sessions with close to a hundred presentations. Presentation of papers continued in four different parallel sessions. Like the previous day, papers presented had both national, regional, continental and cross-continental focus. They also cut across the disciplines. In the morning session, delegates presented papers on xenophobism in South Africa, electoral conflicts, elections and party politics, culture and democracy, monarchism and development, constitutional democracy and disability rights, youth and political stability and women participation in politics. Papers were also presented on the legacy of apartheid on democracy and citizenship, making votes count, regional integration and socio-economic development in Africa, technology and development, poverty and democracy as well as the role of literature and culture in development. In the afternoon session, issues of development at the local government level, roles of indigenous knowledge systems in development, role of non-governmental organisations and state-capital relations in Africa were discussed. Just as the afternoon sessions were being concluded, four delegates from Nigeria who had missed their connecting flight arrived. In order to ensure that they presented their paper, a special parallel session was organised for them.
Another distinctive feature of the conference was the special session organised for scholars in the Humanities to know about the processes and procedures for applying for the African Humanities Programme Fellowship (AHP). Professor Akin Alao of the Department of History Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria informed many of the delegates who are not aware of the Fellowship about its existence and objectives. He also took them through some of the requirements for ensuring successful applications.
The highlight of the evening was the Gala Dinner and Award night. Two keynotes addresses were delivered by Mrs Joey Krishnan, Acting General Manager, Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs: KwaZulu-Natal and Professor Vusi Gumede, Head, Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, University of South Africa. While Mrs Krishnan examined the experience of South Africa in institutionalising democracy over the past twenty years, Professor Gumede spoke on the need for rethinking development in Africa. The evening programme also witnessed address by Chair of the TOFAC Board, Professor Ademola Dasylva. Although he was inevitably absent due to hiccups with visa, the address was delivered on his behalf by Professor Okpeh O. Okpeh
Three different categories of award were given to three of the deserving delegates at the conference. These included award for Academic Excellence went to Professor Lawrence Hamilton of the Politics Department, University of Witwaterrand, Award of Leadership and Service went to Professor Sipho Seepe, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Vista University, and Award for Leadership was given to Dr (Mrs) Yusuf Hauwa'u, Kaduna State University. Professor Michael Vickers also presented a gift to Professor Toyin Falola for his legendary role in facilitating global dialogue and promoting knowledge production in Africa.
The Gala Dinner and Award Night also provided an opportunity for the announcement of the host of TOFAC 2015. It was announced that TOFAC 2015 will be co- hosted by the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, Archie Mafeji Research Institute, Institute of Global Dialogue and Institute of African Renaissance, all within University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa from July 2-4, 2015. Delegates were assured that most of the challenges that they encountered in preparation for the 2014 conference will be mitigated. However, they were encouraged to start making early preparation for the conference.
The conference closed with a note of appreciation by the Convener, Dr. Alexius Amtaika.
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