Professor Dhupelia-Mesthrie: celebrating a legacy in Gandhi's African History

THE striking pink highlights in her hair are in sharp contrast with Professor Uma Mesthrie-Dhupelia's shy demeanour. She was forced into the limelight last month when she received the Book Readers's Africa: Phoenix Settle-ment 1904-2024: A History Through Sources at the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Awards in the category of best non-fiction edited volume.

- KIRU NAIDOO

The HSS Awards rank as the "Oscars" in the humanities and social sciences in South Africa. It is something of a crowning glory for Dhupelia-Mesthrie although she is recognised by her peers at the University of the Western Cape as an emeritus professor.

For those who may not be aware of academic conventions, professors can, in an academic life, confer on those who have reached the pinnacle of projecting a particular subject. In Dhupelia-Mesthrie's case, she has received international acclaim for historical studies. Where many have been rewarded for a professorial seat, the convention is to give up the title.

The most outstanding among them, may however be invited by their peers to accept the emeritus title. The need on the street may lay claim to.

They accordingly enjoy the title for the rest of their lives without any question and enjoy certain privileges like a library card.

Dhupelia-Mesthrie's exceptional academic record and interna-tional standing saw her holding a Research Foundation (NRF) rating, which places her in the premier league of academic scholarship.