Date: 17-Mar-2009
From: Kemmonye Monaka <monaka mopipi.ub.bw>
Subject: Mapping Africa in the English Speaking World
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Mapping Africa in the English Speaking World
Date: 02-Jun-2009 - 04-Jun-2009
Location: Gaborone, Botswana
Contact: Kemmonye Monaka
Contact Email: monakamopipi.ub.bw
Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics
Meeting Description:
Department of English: 5th International Conference
Theme: Mapping Africa in the English Speaking World
University of Botswana
02nd - 04th June, 2009
Since 1998 the Department of English in the Faculty of Humanities at the
University of Botswana has hosted a biennial conference to discuss issues
concerning English language and literature in Africa. The 2009 conference,
Mapping Africa in the English Speaking World, will provide a platform to
engage with various issues relating to the representation of Africa, past
and present, in English. The department hopes that dialogue around such
issues will contribute to better understanding of the image(s) of Africa in
the English-speaking world, the relationships between Africa and English
and the extent to which English and other African related issues such as
various languages traditions (written and oral), cultures, etc
inter-relate; the construction of identities and development of
relationships in multi-lingual contexts; how culture and knowledge are
effectively communicated between communities; and so on.
Conference Structure
Plenary Sessions:
Plenary sessions made of presentations lasting about one hour and followed
by thought provoking questions (and answers), lively debates, discussions,
general comments, etc, will be held during the conference. Plenary speakers
will be drawn from internationally renowned and leading experts on African
issues.
Presentations streams:
Presentation sessions will be arranged according to the conference
themes/sub-themes and will last a maximum of 20 minutes. There will be
approximately 10 minutes discussion after the presentation. The conference
language is English.
Presenters are responsible for making copies of their own handouts,
transparencies etc. Conference organizers should be notified of any
requirements for (special) audio-visual equipment as early as possible. If
there is any need of a sign language interpreter please notify conference
organizers at least 4 weeks (28 calendar days) in advance.
Round Table:
The Conference Committee plans to schedule a Round Table discussion within
the Time Table on the sub-theme 'Representation of Botswana culture by
foreign vs. Batswana writers'. Although the Round Table will specifically
be on the representation of Botswana culture, debate will be welcome from
the representation of other African cultures. Panelist will be drawn from
analytical critics and experts as well as authors of fiction on Africa, and
the Round Table is expected to rouse heated debates.
Panel Discussion (new)
A panel has been organized on Contested Identities: Bessie Head and African
Writing. This panel hopes to broadly tackle issues of identity in Africa,
including those of the Khoesan. Although the main author of discussion will
be Bessie Head, identity issues will be expanded to other writers on Africa. A
lively exchange of ideas is anticipated.
Conference Dinner, Drama and Readings
There will be a Conference Dinner on the night of June 2nd, 2009. Drama,
Performances and Readings will be done on subsequent nights, 3rd - 4th.
Registration Fees
Registration fees for the conference are as follows:
Students: BWP 200.00 (P200.00). Proof of student status will be required.
An ID will be most appropriate.
Other participants: BWP 400.00 (P400.00).
Registration and payment of registration fees will be done on-site on
Monday, June 1st, 2009. The registration point will be at Foyer of the
University of Botswana Library, Block 224. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m.
Funding
The Department of English at the University of Botswana does not have funds
to assist potential participants to attend the conference. In the event
that their abstracts are accepted for presentation at the conference,
participants are advised to seek financial assistance from their
institutions or other organizations to attend the conference.
Cancellations
In the event that a participant is unable to attend the conference, s/he
should notify the conference organizers by e-mail at least 2 weeks (14
calendar days) before the start of the conference. E-mails on cancellations
should be sent to:
monakamopipi.ub.bw
Accommodation Details
Most hotels and lodges are located within a short walking or driving distance.
Detailed information is available upon request. The booking of
accommodation in hotels and lodges is the responsibility of the
participants.
Booking of Graduate and Undergraduate halls of residences may be made
through the contact numbers shown up to May, 2009. Any booking after
this time may be made through +267 3552245 or +267 3552977.
Food
The Conference will provide tea and scones/bread at tea breaks and lunch from
02nd June, 2009 to the 04th June 2009. The Conference Dinner will also be
provided on the night of 02nd June, 2009. Otherwise participants will need to
make arrangement for their breakfast and dinner.
The Exchange Rate
As of Tuesday 03rd February, 2009, 1:00 USD = 7.99930 BWP. Exchange rates be
estimated from XE.com at http://www.xe.com
Visas
Please find out as soon as possible whether you need a visa to come to
Botswana. Visas take a number of days to process and must therefore be
attended to well in time. Visa fees differ for different countries. Participants
must
ensure that their passport are original and are valid for at least a period of
six months. In case you need assistance from the conference organisers for
preparations relating to your visas, please contact Mr Tiro Sebina at email:
sebinatmopipi.ub.bw or tel: 267 3555081. Only participants whose abstracts
have been accepted for presentation at our conference will be assisted with
visa issues if necessary. However, it is largely the responsibility of the
participants to secure visas to come to Botswana for the conference.
Publication of proceedings
Some papers will be selected for publication consideration with a reputable
publisher after the conference. These papers will undergo a rigorous review
process.
Botswana
Location and weather
The Republic of Botswana is situated in Southern Africa, and shares borders
with South Africa in the south and southeast, Namibia in the west, Zambia in
the north and Zimbabwe in the northeast. The Capital city of Botswana is
Gaborone, situated almost in the border with South Africa. The climate in the
country is generally semi-arid. The period, June 02nd - 04th, 2009, falls
within the winter season, and days could be sunny and cool to warm, but in the
evenings and at night temperatures can drop to below freezing point. So please
bring warm clothes.
Travel/Flights( in)to Gaborone
Flights into Gaborone, Botswana, land at Sir Seretse Khama International
Airport, which is approximately 10km north of the city and connects with
Johannesburg and Cape Town (South Africa), Harare (Zimbabwe), and two towns
within Botswana; Francistown and Maun.
Comments and Questions
Comments and questions may be sent via e-mail to monakamopipi.ub.bw
Conference organising committee:
Dr. Elma Thekiso at +267 355 5085; e-mail address: thekisoemopipi.ub.bw
Mr. Tiro Sebina +267 355 5081; e-mail address: sebinatmopipi.ub.bw
Ms. Seatlholo Tumedi +267 355 2667; e-mail address: tumedismmopipi.ub.bw
Dr. Sibonile Ellece +267 355 4113; e-mail address: ellecesmopipi.ub.bw
Mr. Fani K. Omoregie +267 355 2669; e-mail address: omoregiemopipi.ub.bw
Dr. Alfred J. Matiki +267 355 2978; e-mail address: matikimopipi.ub.bw
Mr. Owen Seda +267 355 2094, e-mail: owen.sedamopipi.ub.bw
Dr. Kems C. Monaka +267 355 5118; e-mail address: monakamopipi.ub.bw
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