by Daniëlle Cronjé, 6 December 2024.

The Cosmopolitan Karoo SARChI research group on Land, Environment and Sustainable Development was very well represented at the annual 2024 Anthropology Southern Africa (ASnA) conference hosted at Wits! It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with fellow scholars around issues of repair, restoration and reparation. During the conference, we had the privilege of participating in three panels: “Environment and Equity: Perspectives on Sustainable Development,” “Land, Food, and Waste,” and “The Anthropocene and Sustainable Energy.”

Below are the reflections from some of our members who presented at the event:

As a sociologist who had little exposure to social anthropology during my undergraduate years, I always wondered about the differences between these two disciplines. Although I encountered more anthropology during my Honours year, it wasn’t until my experience at ASnA that I truly grasped the subtle yet crucial distinctions between them. Thus, by attending various panels and engaging with anthropologists outside Stellenbosch University deepened my understanding. I realized that social and cultural anthropology emphasizes the lived experiences of both interlocutors and researchers, often conveyed through storytelling and this has inspired me to incorporate similar stories and experiences in my research.

-Shannah 

The ASnA conference was a rich convergence of intellectual reflections on matters of the past, present and future well-being of the environment and humanity.  The organizers did a great job crafting panels that spurred deep understanding and vibrant dialogue on the wealth of well-researched thematic areas which are not only of immense interest to anthropology as a discipline but embody engaged actions on contemporary issues affecting the subject (s) under study.  “Repair” as an underpinning locus of the conference’s deliberations was particularly well articulated by the Karoovians. Their presentations provided intersecting perspectives that weave through the conference’s objectives and themes.

-Daniel

Attending the Anthropology Southern Africa Conference 2024 at Wits University was both a personal and academic milestone. I was grateful to have this invaluable opportunity to present my research, which is on Plant Poaching, Criminalisation, and Conservation in the Karoo, to an audience of esteemed scholars in the field and to engage in critical dialogue on issues surrounding this and other relevant topics. It was wonderful to receive feedback and hear new ideas about some of the central themes in my research, such as kinship, charismatic species, and conservation in South Africa during apartheid. The diverse and thought-provoking presentations I attended challenged my understanding of key issues in our field and inspired new directions for my own work, particularly on issues of crime and legislation. Perhaps most meaningful were the connections I made with scholars whose work has profoundly influenced me — conversations with them deepened my appreciation for the collaborative nature of anthropology.

-Faye

Participating in the ASnA conference was an unforgettable experience. I am grateful for all the engaging presentations I attended, the valuable feedback I received, and the new relationships I’ve built. A heartfelt thank you to the Sociology of Land, Environment, and Sustainable Development SARChI Chair for the generous funding that made it possible for me to attend this enriching conference.

-Daniëlle

Attending ASnA for the first time was such an enriching experience. The diversity of presentations and discussions provided so many invaluable insights into the issues being explored by my peers. I really enjoyed the opportunity to engage with people from across the globe and from various backgrounds. The week was both intellectually stimulating and inspiring, and offered a platform for me to deepen my thinking on my own research and explore new ideas, share perspectives, and build connections. Looking forward to next year! 

-Rob

I was fortunate to attend and present my honours research at the annual Anthropology Southern Africa Conference in Johannesburg with the SARChI Research Chair in Land, Environment, and Sustainable Development. The conference explored themes of repair, restoration, and reparation, sparking inspirational and thought-provoking discussions. Each paper presented was unique in its approach and focus, yet they all shared common threads, connecting deeply to these overarching themes. Although I didn’t receive extensive feedback, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to share my work with an engaged audience. Their attention and interest in my research provided valuable validation and motivation for future research. Aside from the conference, we also attended events which showcased abstract yet extraordinary art revolving around transgressing the boundaries of repair as well as being in a futuristic world in which nature still surrounds us. The experience overall was enriching, and exciting, and as a sociologist, it offered new perspectives to the field of anthropology.

-Caitlin