Problematising the African Renaissance

These papers address aspects of the contentious intellectual and policy debate about the revival and revitalisation of Africa's political, economic and cultural situation - the so-called African Renaissance. The work considers the ideological antecedents of the concept of the African Renaissance; the African Renaissance as an imperative for survival; and how President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and the ANC use the notion. The contributors discuss the ethical ramifications of globalisation; whether neo-liberalism can be considered a stable base for the African Renaissance; and the likelihood of genuine progress when there are many indicators that neo-liberalism is unleashing a kind of global apartheid. On this judgement, they draw parallels with the apartheid era in South Africa, and envisage a similar struggle for change. The contributors are five scholars including the Russian, Vladimir Shubin, and the book's editor Eddie Maloka.