24 January 2026

The Battle of Spioenkop was shaped by leadership styles, personality clashes and complicated terrain. The outcome was decided by skilful use of long-ranging artillery. This lecture will discuss the battle and the contrast between the two armies. There is a focus on the British generals of Natal: General Sir Redvers Buller, his army history, his character and his foibles; General Sir Charles Warren’s unwelcome arrival; and the controversial role played by Lord Donald Cochrane, the 12th Earl of Dundonald. It will also examine the roles played by Ghandi and Churchill.

Have you ever wondered how African people related to stars? Join Thebe Medupe as he journeys to Namibia, Mali and Egypt in search of connections between traditional African astronomy and his professional science. He interacts with hunter-gatherers in Namibia, climbs the precipitous cliffs of the Dogon people in Mali, and ventures into the Sahara in Egypt in search of the most ancient astronomy, with the aim of experiencing how people of Africa use traditional astronomy to relate to the sky. These experiences were documented the internationally acclaimed documentary, Cosmic Africa.

The film Capturing Water exposes the violent realities of water scarcity, a direct consequence of neoliberal policies and practices, compounded by the impacts of climate change. It simultaneously centres around the unwavering spirit of women and communities, from their personal struggles to their political work at the forefront of the fight for water justice. The film powerfully amplifies their vision to see water as part of a commons: available to all, with equitable distribution within and across populations, protected from misuse and harm to ensure its availability for future generations.