From History to Herstory: Culture, Gender and Religion in Archival Material in Southern Africa

This book seeks to contribute to reflections done on the gender equality agenda by combing through oral and written resources to unearth and document heroic displays of leadership by women of Africa in general and of Southern Africa in particular, that remain hidden under the rubble of Eurocentric, colonial and African patriarchal archive and hegemony. It seeks to open the archive of Southern Africa to unearth the names of women who have played an important role in shaping the course of Southern Africa history in every way. While acknowledging the systematic marginalisation of women’s voices and identities by scribal patriarchy, the aim is to bring to life women’s experiences and voices through critical engagement of sources of knowledge available to Africa in general and southern Africa in particular.

The chapters of this book will contribute to the debate on gender equality and women empowerment by women themselves within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5.

Lekholokoe Paul Leshota is Associate Professor of Practical Theology in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the National University of Lesotho. He is presently the Lesotho Country Coordinator of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.

Maxwell Constantine Chando Musingafi is Professor of Public Policy & Governance in the Department of Development Studies at the National University of Lesotho. Professor Musingafi is a novelist and researcher in gender, conflict, peace, governance and water studies with a track record of more than 300 published works.

Itumeleng Rethabile Veronica Mokhele is an interdisciplinary scholar at the National University of Lesotho. She is a lecturer in French language in the Faculty of Humanities, French Department and the chairperson of the NUL- Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.

Makhulu Makumane (PhD) is Senior Lecturer at the National University of Lesotho in the Faculty of Education, and she is affiliated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She teaches and supervises postgraduate research in Curriculum studies and Advanced French language education studies