Episode 1: Decolonising Urban Planning Insights from Citizen and Subject

In this episode, Funeka Mdletshe and Sinalo Sojanga will be having a conversation about the book "Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism" by Mahmood Mamdani. They will provide background on the book's connection to the course, its themes, and the author's profile. Furthermore, concepts such as politics, power, and presence will be explored in relation to the book and the field of urban planning. The author, Mahmood Mamdani, and his background in political science, and African studies, as well as personal experiences in Uganda and South Africa, will also be part of the conversation.

Key points to be discussed include:
Examining how colonialism shaped African societies, creating two types of political subjects: citizens and subjects according to the book.
The legacy of colonialism and its impact or influence on African governance, citizenship, and political identity.

Overall, the book is written from a postcolonial, critical theory, and political sociology perspective and it is of significance that Africans read as it helps us in understanding the legacy of colonialism in Africa. This episode is part 1 of a 2-part series discussion of the book “Citizen and Subject…”, please watch the second episode to engage with us as we conversate more about the book.

References:
Flyvbjerg, B. (1998) Habermas and Foucault: Thinkers for Civil Society? British Journal of Sociology, 49(2): 210–233.

Jill Scott (2000) ‘A Long Walk’, Who is Jill Scott? words and Sounds Vol.1.Available at:    • Jill Scott | A Long Walk HD | Who Is ...  

Mamdani, M. 1996. Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton University Press/ Wits University Press.

What Would Socrates Do? | Podcast: Hidden Brain | Host: Shankar Vedantam | Guest:

Tamar Gendler (25 December 2023). Link:
https://hidden-brain.simplecast.com/e...

*Please note that we got permission to shoot at the venues we used (both the Wits University Press boardroom and the Commune bookshop). Furthermore, everyone that may be in the shot gave us full verbal consent and they are a willing participant.