From 8 to 11 January 2023, several TOGI lecturers attended and presented at the annual Education Association of South Africa conference. This conference was held at the award-winning function venue, the Century City Conference Centre, situated at the heart of Cape Town’s lively Century City district. Along with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), TOGI has been part of the organising committee since 2020. Unfortunately, due to Covid 19, the conference was postponed twice.
This year’s conference theme focused on oceans of wisdom, mountains of knowledge, and the winds of change, inspired by the artwork of Paul Vorster and the unique Cape Town setting. Delegates from all over the world presented papers on several sub-themes, like Basic Education (small waves gathering momentum to rush to the shore), Teacher Education (teach them to fish), Higher Education (the cloud over Table Mountain), Social Justice issues in Education (blowing in the right direction), Digital Education (gale force winds), and the impact of a world-wide pandemic in education (Cape of storms).
Four highly distinguished keynote speakers addressed the delegates to share their oceans of wisdom and mountains of knowledge: Prof Thuli Madonsela (University of Stellenbosch), Prof Mbulungeni Madiba (University of Stellenbosch), Prof Irma Eloff (University of Pretoria) and Prof Piet Van Avermaet (Ghent University, Belgium).
Four TOGI lecturers presented at the conference. First, Caviner Ruiters’s paper presentation focused on inclusivity in mainstream schooling, during which he addressed the important question of whether it is an attainable dream. Next, Dr Georina Westraadt talked about visual art practical work in an online environment. In turn, Margot Wood shared her research about using Arthur Lessac`s embodied voice and movement approach as a teaching methodology for dramatic arts in the intermediate and senior phases. Lastly, Adrienne van As’s presentation focused on looking beyond technology by exploring transactional and historical distances in history education.
Several awards and medals were presented during the conference, recognising research on all levels and service to EASA. A special mention to former TOGI lecturer Dr Isabel Tarling, who won the medal for best-emerging researcher in 2020.
A special thanks to all the TOGI staff involved before and during the conference. Dr Georina Westraadt, Mrs Amanda Anker, Dr Isabel Tarling and Ms Adrienne van As were all involved in some way. We would also like to thank Dewald van der Westhuizen, who took photos at the conference, TOGI for their sponsorship and anyone else who contributed in some way.
The Education Association of South Africa (EASA) is an inclusive network of academics, researchers, and practitioners who prioritise education, particularly in South Africa. Using active exchange and critique of hypotheses, theories, and practices, EASA members strive to promote excellence in education-related research and science.
The University of Johannesburg will host the next EASA conference in January 2024. We are looking forward to attending and representing TOGI.