An African approach to education, particularly within the context of South Africa, seeks to reshape the educational landscape by centring indigenous knowledge systems, pedagogies, and cultural perspectives in formal learning spaces. This approach is rooted in the idea of decolonising education, which means actively moving away from a Eurocentric, Western-dominated model and incorporating more locally relevant, context-driven educational frameworks. The key idea is to make education more inclusive, relevant, and reflective of African identities, values, and realities.

Understanding the Concept: Decolonisation of Education

The decolonisation of education is an active process aimed at challenging the Western-dominated philosophy that has historically shaped formal education systems in Africa. In South Africa, this means incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and African pedagogies into teaching and learning, making them as valid and valued as Western methods.

Owuor (2007) emphasises that this process is not just about replacing one system with another but achieving a balance where multiple perspectives—local and global—are included. This balanced approach acknowledges that no single educational philosophy is universally applicable and that learning should be relevant to the challenges and needs of specific communities.

Principles of Mkabela’s African Approach to Education

According to Mkabela, an African approach to education is holistic, context-specific, and deeply rooted in the values and traditions of African societies. It promotes:

1. Holistic Learning: Education should address not only the mind but also the body, spirit, and emotions. African education traditionally includes the development of personal character, social responsibility, and communal values alongside academic achievement.
2. Communal Learning: Education is not seen as an individual pursuit. It is a community-centred activity where knowledge is passed down through generations and shared within the community.
3. Contextual Relevance: The content taught must be relevant to the learners’ immediate social, cultural, and economic environment. Instead of focusing solely on abstract Western concepts, education should include lessons that apply to the local environment and real-world challenges faced by students.
4. Ubuntu: The philosophy of Ubuntu—which emphasises humanity, interconnectedness, and collective responsibility—is at the heart of this approach. Education, therefore, should promote cooperation over competition, focusing on the well-being of the community as a whole.

Examples of Implementation and Teaching Practice

Incorporating an African approach to education in teaching practice requires more than just adding local content—it involves rethinking the entire way education is structured and delivered. Here are examples of how this can be implemented:

1. Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in the Curriculum

Indigenous knowledge, which is deeply rooted in the local environment and culture, can be integrated into subjects like science, geography, and history. For example:

• In natural science, students could learn about traditional herbal medicine and indigenous plant species, which have been used for centuries in African societies. This would allow them to see how modern science connects with local knowledge systems.
• In history, instead of focusing solely on European colonisation or global events, educators could include African historical figures, pre-colonial African societies, and African philosophies.

This not only makes learning more relevant but also encourages students to take pride in their cultural heritage.

2. Storytelling and Oral Tradition

In many African societies, oral tradition and storytelling have been central to passing down knowledge and values. Teachers can integrate storytelling into lessons by:

• Using African folktales to teach moral lessons, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These stories are often rich in metaphor and can help students understand complex ideas in a more relatable way.
• Encouraging students to engage with their elders or community leaders to learn about local history, customs, and traditions, and then share those lessons in class.

This method not only brings learning to life but also allows students to participate actively in preserving their own cultural traditions.

3. Ubuntu in Classroom Management

Ubuntu, which means “I am because we are,” encourages a collective and caring approach to education. In practice, this could involve:

• Creating a classroom environment where students are encouraged to support each other’s learning, through group work and collaborative projects.
• Fostering a sense of mutual respect and responsibility, where students understand that their success is intertwined with the well-being of their peers.
• Teachers could also focus on resolving conflicts using restorative justice approaches, which emphasise healing and understanding over punishment.

4. Community Involvement

In many African societies, education extends beyond the classroom and involves the entire community. Schools can build stronger ties with the local community by:

• Inviting community elders, traditional leaders, or experts in indigenous knowledge to give talks or participate in lessons.
• Involving students in community-based projects, such as environmental conservation, which not only teach practical skills but also reinforce the importance of giving back to the community.

This approach helps students see the real-world application of their education and strengthens the connection between school and home.

5. Languages and Multilingualism

Many South African learners are taught in a language (English or Afrikaans) that is not their mother tongue. A decolonised approach to education would:

• Promote mother-tongue instruction where possible, allowing students to learn in their first language, which is often linked to their identity and cognitive development.
• Encourage multilingualism, where students are not only taught in their local language but also exposed to other indigenous languages, fostering appreciation for linguistic diversity.

This approach empowers students by making education accessible and culturally relevant.