DECOLONISATION OF KNOWLEDGE, INUDSTRILIZATION IN AFRICA AND

THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

SIMBARASHE MAMBEVA

4th Year, Department of Civil Engineering,

Student Number 201516794

mambevasimbarashe@gmail.com

ABSTARCT

The call for decolonization of knowledge are not new and they have never go uncontested
whenever they are made. Decolonization of knowledge forms a significant part of post-colonial
discourse across the African continent. As the dawn of a new industrial revolution unfolds,
Africa is still facing huge challenges in its developmental and industrialization goals.
Decolonization of knowledge is a tool needed to bridge the gap between the continent’s dark
colonial past and the present. The debates on decolonization of knowledge are important as
they are meant to connect Africa and its roots so that the continent become more equipped in
providing solutions to the demands and problems it is currently facing. In this article, I draw
reflections based on my research and discussions with colleagues at the University of
Johannesburg, South Africa as well as these in different parts of the continent.

INTRODUCTION

Africa has experienced postcolonial societies for a number of decades, which stretches to as early as
1960s when many African nations began to gain political independence. The experience raises a bunch
of questions on whether an independent African society have the capacity to build & industrialize on a
national and continental level. In his book “The Wrenched of the Earth”, Frank Fanon showed lack of
believe that postcolonial African society can be successful in what he termed nation-building. He
strongly argued that postcolonial African society was lazy, parasitic and unscrupulous and it lacks the
depth to develop because it assimilated colonial thoughts in its worst and corrupt form.

This article will present a different and revised pathway from Frank Fanon’s views on postcolonial
African society. A depth analysis of the idea of decolonization of knowledge as a fundamental tool for
industrialization in Africa and Africa’s role in the 4th Industrial revolution will be explored. The fulcrum
of the article is premised on decolonization of knowledge, nationalization of the African economy,
reinforcement of African indigenous knowledge systems, Industrialization in Africa, the 4th industrial
revolution and engineering curriculum reforms.
DECOLONISATION OF KNOWLEDGE IN AFRICAN CONTEXT

Decolonization of knowledge is the gradual change that previously colonized countries go through
when they become politically independent from former colonial powers (Oelofsen R, 2015).In African
context, decolonization pass the frontiers of political independence and stretches to humanizing
pedagogy and developing of African philosophies. Government structure and other institutions, the way
in which a country is organized economically, the way in which former colonial subjects were
encouraged to think and analyze, are often still determined by the former colonial powers in post-
colonial countries, as a result of the economic and cultural power the former colonizers wield, (Oelofsen
R, 2015).

Forces of decolonization are meant to unlock colonial effects in a bid to overcome the legacy of
colonialism and decolonize the intellectual landscape and ultimately the mind of these colonized. This
article will not dig deeper into government affairs but will reinforce the need for curriculum reforms at
institutions of higher learning especially with regard to the field engineering and technology.
Decolonization of African Universities is fundamental step in the decolonization of Africa as a
continent. Ngugi wa Thiongo’s position is his book “decolonization of the mind” is that Africa expands
well beyond the continent and its geographical limits. This means decolonizing an African university
requires a geographical and intellectual imagination that extends well beyond the legacy of colonialism
and humanize pedagogy in African university.

Despite Frank Fanon’s lack of believe in the capacity of a postcolonial African society to successfully
develop without confinement of colonialist ideas, his works proves to be very useful. His book Black
skin, white masks, is meant to liberate the black man from the arsenal complexes that originated from
colonial era. This liberation from colonial thought forms the basic foot step needed for Africa to dwell
well economically and will also enhance its participation in the 4th induistrilial revolution. Africa must
work on reinforcing its indigenous knowledge to suit the needs and demands of an African post-colonial
society. The integration of African indigenous knowledge systems and implementation of decolonized
engineering curriculum can pose the continent on a position to archive global excellence in innovation
and research. In her article “decolonization of the African mind and the intellectual landscape”, Rianna
Oelofsen articulated that colonial and apartheid context in South Africa and Africa as a whole affected
the way people leant to think about their own affairs and others, and this mentality was not eliminated
by political independence.

INDUSTRIALISATION IN AFRICA AND THE NATIONALIZATION OF THE

ECONOMY

Development and Industrialization of Africa’s theme is premised on fostering economic

growth, creating jobs, alleviating poverty, promoting inclusiveness and sustainability. The
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 2016 report make
recommendations that includes calls to broaden and update the local knowledge base ,support
agriculture and agribusiness development, encourage industrialization through trade and
deeper regional cooperation and integration. In addition it made recommendation for the
promotion of the new industrial revolution in Africa, this includes the Internet of Things (IoT),
cloud computing, 3D printing, big data, nanotechnology and robotics. This is so as to improve
productivity, increase resource efficiency, and reduce energy consumption and thus protecting
the environment and increase effectiveness. Details of the new industrial revolution will be
covered later in this article.

Main challenges to Industrialization

The main challenges of industrialization in Africa are structural weaknesses such as poor
infrastructure, slow regional integration, weak logistics and trade facilitation and the absence
of local accreditation.

Most African nations in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group are struggling to use
advantage of their low labor cost to increase their manufacturing capacities. Improving
sustainable logistics performance and trade facilitation systems is important for economic
growth, integration and competitiveness. Slow regional integration in Africa is also a huge
impediment for the development and industrialization of Africa. Africa is one of the least
regionally integrated continent in the world and barriers of trade among African countries are
higher than these between African countries and the rest of the world. Efforts by former Libyan
leader Muammar Gaddafi to introduce a single African gold backed currency was in line with
the idea of Africanisation and was meant to prop up trade and regional economic integration in
the continent. Absence of accreditation framework is also hindering the efforts of
decolonization of knowledge and industrialization in Africa. International bodies step in when
African counties lack their own accreditation bodies. Therefore it is vital for Africa to set up
Pan-African centered bodies which should take a lead in the decolonization of knowledge.

Nationalization of the economy is the key stone in propping up industrialization in Africa. In

simple definition, Nationalization of the economy is the transfer into native hands of these
unfair advantages which were a legacy of the colonial past. The system of laissez-faire
capitalism has created a gross inequality of wealth and income and the greatest beneficiaries of
the system are former colonialist. The undergoing drive in South Africa about nationalization
of land or expropriation of land is a robust idea which rings well with the composite drive for
development and industrialization in Africa. It thrives to readdress the inequalities that comes
as a result of colonial setup. Private industries have lost their competitive character and are
developing symptoms of monopolistic stagnation. Many native African reformers are arguing
that the individual self-serving and monopolistic setup which was born from the colonial
system have outwit the drive for industrialization and industrial efficiency in Africa.

Nationalization is a supporting pillar of the much broader and inclusive ideology of

Africanisation. As Lestekha from the Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa defines
it, Africanisation is a renewed focus on Africa and entails salvaging what has been stripped
from the continent. Africanisation and decolonization of knowledge are the key players that
can successfully destroys all opposing forces of neocolonialism. If nationalization is correctly
applied, it will yield the following benefits; cooperation and prosperity for all, increased
earnings of the state, safeguard the interest of native people, employment opportunities and
economic and political growth.

HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM REFORMS

When the idea of Africanisation is applied to higher education, it can be seen as the call to
adopt curricular and syllabuses to ensure that learning and teaching are adopted to African
conditions and realities. South Africa’s higher education curriculum needs reforms if
decolonization of knowledge initiative is to be successful. South African transformation agenda
is largely angered by the need to undo decades of injustice caused by apartheid as well as the
need to align higher education institutions with the philosophies and principles outlined in the
constitution, which took effect in 1997 (Pityana, 2012). The discourse of higher education
transformation spreads out in all African nations and it’s about curriculum reforms,
internationalization and all other technical drivers of Africanisation. (Nkoane, 2002). interprets
an Africanized educational system as one which cherish African awareness of all forms of
social order and rules by which culture evolves; facilitates a critical emancipatory approach to
solve the problems of African lives; fosters the understanding of African consciousness; and
produces the material and capacities for Africans to determine their own future(s). Such an
educational system entails decolonization of knowledge, production of African knowledge
which is more effective and relevant in empowering Africans.

In this dawn of a new industrial revolution, it is crucial for Africa to build a Pan-African Centre
of critical intellectual inquiry through African research and extensive scholarship that can
support African centered industrial revolution. The University of Johannesburg has initiated
the Institute for Pan-African Conservation and Thought (IPACT) in the faculty of Humanities.
IPACT is promoting original and innovative Pan-African ideas and critical dialogue. The UJ’s
Faculty of Engineering and Built Engineering (FEBE) is also carrying an initiative for the
decolonization of knowledge in Engineering Science, technology and the built environment.
The faculty seeks to initiate dialogue on decolonization of knowledge in African engineering
studies.

According to Moulder (1995), decolonization of knowledge or Africanisation of higher

education encompasses four kinds of change. Changing of composition of student, academic
and administrative bodies, changing the syllabus, curricula and the criteria for what is viewed
as excellent research. The Administration of an Institution should not be a product of
colonialism. Changing the syllabus, content and curricula is vital in the drive for decolonizing
knowledge. Curriculum refers to the knowledge that is excluded or included in the university
learning and teaching programme.The engineering curriculum at African universities should
focus on training of students rather than lecturing. This can be achieved by implementation of
African centered engineering practice and the elimination of redundant courses. Research
initiatives should also be based on Africa’s participation in the 4th industrial revolution. A depth
analysis of the 4th industrial revolution and its implication for industrialization in Africa will
be explored later in this article. The criteria for what is viewed as excellent research should be
premised on African Indigenous knowledge system and knowledge production that suits the
need of African societies.

South Africa attempted to push the idea of Africanisation into the curriculum Agenda in 1992
through the National Education Policy Initiative (NEPI). The NEPI failed to successfully
implement Africanisation in higher education institutions because of the administrative
composition of the institutions. About 12% of the stuff in post-secondary sector was black. As
a result, the knowledge disseminated was white knowledge which only reflects and serves their
interest. Although improvements have been made with regard to the administrative
composition, continual efforts of dismantling the colonial setup and its substitution by Africa
centered leadership should remain in place for Africa to find its roots. An education system
which induces slave mentality or a sense of impotence is not education at all (Letsekha T,
2013). The University of Johannesburg has taken a lead in South African higher education
sector in the drive for decolonization of knowledge.

THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Historical Context

Revolution denotes an abrupt and radical change and it took place throughout history when
new technologies and novel ways of perceiving the world initiates a strong change in the social
structures and economic systems. Long back, humans mainly survived through foraging. The
transition from foraging to farming occurred 10 000 years ago and this was made possible by
the domestication of animals. The agrarian revolution was followed by several industrial
revolutions that began.

The first industrial revolution dates back to 1760s and was triggered by the invention of steam
engine and the rail roads and other mechanical production systems. This revolution spanned up
to 1840s. The second industrial revolution, which started in the late 19 th century and stretched
into the early 20 the century, was marked by mass production which was fostered by the advent
of electricity and the assembly line, (Schwab K, 2015). The Computer and Digital revolution
which was termed the 3rd Industrial revolution started in the 1960s and it was catalyzed by the
development of mainframe computing and semiconductors, personal computing and the
internet.

Many academics believe that we are in a new Industrial revolution which is characterized by
emerging technology breakthroughs in a number of fields, including robotics, quantum
computing ,intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology ,the Internet of Things, the Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT), additive manufacturing/3D printing, fifth-generation wireless
technologies (5G), and fully autonomous vehicles. Klaus Schwab founder and executive
chairman of the World Economic Forum defined the 4th industrial revolution as a “culmination
of emerging technologies fusion into physical and biological worlds the likes of which has not
seen before”.

4th Industrial Revolution Technologies’ and its Implications on Industrialization in

Africa.

The 4th industrial revolution technologies represent the forms in which new industries are
developed and disruption of the existing ones. Some of the evolving technology are driverless
cars, smart factories, smart utility guards and many more. As I write this article, I pose to ask
myself, Will Africa be able to copy with emerging technologies of the 4th Industrial revolution?.
How long will it take for the majority of Africans to experience the technology of the 4 th
industrial revolution?. Africa was always playing a receiving role for the three previous
revolutions. Receiving new technologies decades later from their time of invention. This is not
by surprise as we know that the majority of African population still don’t have access to
electricity which is a technology of the 2nd Industrial revolution.

Africa should rise up and participate in the invention and modification of emerging
technologies of the 4th Industrial revolution. Challenges in today’s African industry will be
greatly reduced effectively in this new and complex revolution. Africa need more academics
and scholars in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, information technology, computer
engineering , Nano technology, genetic engineering and many more disciplines that spans the
technologies of the 4th industrial revolution. Professor A Mutamabra, an expert in robotics held a
lecture presentation at the University of Johannesburg in which he highlighted the need for Africans to
appreciate the emerging industrial revolution and the pace at which robots are being transformed into
more of what he called “the real human form”. Artificial Intelligence in the form of software algorithms
could be described as the “soft “side of the machine intelligence. It is the manifestation of machinery
acting on the Physical world, using sensors from IoT and Integrated robotics that present a new form of
automation, K Schwab.

CONCLUSION

For Decolonization of knowledge to be successful, there is need for continual application and
renewal of all efforts that drives the ideology. It is the fundamental tool that is required for
Africa to find its roots and correct all injustices, inequalities and setbacks that are products of
the past. Tertiary education sector has a critical role to play in the decolonization of knowledge
across the African continent. Curriculum reforms at Institutions of higher learning should be a
leading driver in the quest for decolonization of knowledge. A decolonized curriculum in the
field of engineering and technology will help Africa to achieve an African centered industrial
revolution. The continent will produce an African centered knowledge system and technology
that correctly meets the needs and demands of the continent.

Fostering of economic growth, poverty alleviation, job creation and promotion of inclusiveness
and sustainability are the key goals for development of the continent. Nationalization of the
economy policy should be supported across all the nations for Africa to achieve its
developmental and industrialization goals. Industrialization in Africa is facing huge
impediments that need to be instantly resolved for successful development of the continent.
Among the impediments, there is lack of regional integration, weak logistics and trade
facilitation, the absence of proper local accreditation and lack of an African centered
revolution. The emerging industrial revolution has a bearing on Industrialization in Africa.
Efficiency manufacturing and industrial systems will be created across the continent.

Decolonization of knowledge, Africanisation, and participation of Africa in the 4th Industrial

revolution is the way forward for Africa. A Pan-African Centre of critical intellectual inquiry
that support African centered industrial revolution can be successfully built. A decolonized
curriculum can support government’s efforts in the resolution of key national problems.
Furthermore, Africa can achieve global excellence in research and innovation through a
decolonized curriculum. As I come to the conclusion of this article I found it necessary for me
to quote Dr George Ayittey’s argument that, “African problems needs African Solutions”.
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