A PAN-AFRICAN RESPONSE TO THE CLASSICS

Abstract

1. INTRODUCTION During 1993, the two authors, in collaboration with Jessie Maritz (University of Zimbabwe), Maryse Waegeman (University of Malawi) and Diane Jorge (University of the Western Cape), embarked on a research programme which we have entitled "A. PanAfrican Response to the Classics". In order to assess perceived areas of similiarity and difference between African society and the worlds of ancient Greece and Rome, we constructed a questionnaire which was issued to students at the Universities of Zimbabwe, Malawi, the Western Cape and Natal (PMB). Passages were culled, for example, from classical literature, philosophy, and from religious and political texts, and questions were set on them which aimed at eliciting critical comment, debate and information. It was hoped that, from the responses to the questionnaires, classicists in South Africa could be guided towards those aspects of the curriculum which could have most relevance for the university constituency of the future. Curriculum development was thus the major aim of the research project. Whilst it is impossible to give a detailed analysis of responses to the questionnaire,! it is hoped that this paper will give some indication of the range of response and interest generated.