The truth about Cape slavery: Challenging historical distortions

THE TRUTH ABOUT CAPE SLAVERY: CHALLENGING HISTORICAL DISTORTIONS

Patric Tariq Mellet, researcher, writer

Monday 26 January  3.00 pm  COURSE FEES R115; Staff and students R58

In The Truth About Cape Slavery Patric Tariq Mellet argues that modern South Africa was established on the foundation of chattel slavery, as in the United States of America. According to Mellet, the existence of a benevolent and mild form of slavery at the Cape is a myth; slavery formed the cornerstone of infrastructure and economic development in South Africa. He claims that the system of indentured labour, as well as the migrant labour system, was nothing but a continuation of slavery in a new form. This then moved to become the cornerstone of the Cape’s and the Boer Republics’ agricultural economy. His book is a work of ‘restorative memory’, without which, he argues, restorative justice is not possible.

Recommended reading

Mellet, PT. 2009. Lenses of Cape Identity: Exploring Roots in South Africa.Botswana: Dibanisa. Mellet, PT. 2020. The Lie of 1652: A Decolonised History ofLand. Cape Town: Tafelberg.

Mellet, PT. 2022. Cleaner’s Boy: A Resistance Road to a Liberated Life. Cape Town: Tafelberg. Mellet, PT. 2024. The Truth about Cape Slavery. Cape Town: Tafelberg.

TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/performance.aspx?itemid=1575438680