Hello everyone; just so you know it’s @Mavumavu91 here. I’m taking over in preparation for our #LanguageMatters series for Heritage Month. Come back at 6pm SAST Time and let’s start the conversation.
But before that, here’s a picture of me in the field and a brief bio...[cont]
But before that, here’s a picture of me in the field and a brief bio...[cont]
I’ve worked in some of the most prominent hominid sites in both eastern Africa and South Africa’s Cradle of human kind. Sterkfontein, Gondolin, Rising Star, Laetoli, Koobi Fora. As far as I know I’m one of the only few geologists to work on both Cradles of hu(man)kind.
This has seen me collaborate with teams from all over the world; none of which are majority black African.
(Enjoy pics of the Koobi Fora Fieldschool representing about 7 countries and one with the Africans)
(Enjoy pics of the Koobi Fora Fieldschool representing about 7 countries and one with the Africans)
My research interests are varied; rift basin sedimentology and development, bulk and isotope geochemistry, geoarchaeology, sequence stratigraphy and provenance studies, basin history, hominin palaeoenvironments and paleogeography, carbonates etc.
I have a BSc triple majoring in Geology, Archaeology and Environmental & Geographical sciences. I have a dual honours in Geology and Palaeontology from Wits and a Masters from there where I did a Erasmus Masters mobility in Toulouse/Bordeaux, France.
(Pics of me at graduations)
(Pics of me at graduations)
My other occupation is manager of @NatGeo_Umsuka public paleoanthrology program which conveys scientific knowledge to the wider Cradle community in South Africa, a majority black space.
So, public understanding and transformation are valuable to me. And that brings us here...
So, public understanding and transformation are valuable to me. And that brings us here...
As you can see I have mostly occupied white spaces/Eurocentric/colonial spaces. Therefore being a black African Zulu-speaking person, navigating this space has been.. uhm... interesting.
Theres a lot to mention on what we can begin to notice in a post apartheid, post colonial space but today we are concerned with #languageMatters; in every sense of the word. Terminology, phrases, translations etc. How and why it’s important and how it’s a powerful tool.
Also if you haven’t seen this yet; get into it. The First Lady of @DiggingInZA ( @Robyn_Angelique) is moderating and bringing some phenomenal guests #LanguageMatters https://twitter.com/heri_uct/status/1305791212801015809">https://twitter.com/heri_uct/...