The politics of representation in the inanda heritage route: A case study of the Phoenix Settlement, Ohlange Institute and Inanda Seminary

Abstract

The thesis is a case study of three main sites on the Inanda Heritage Route, namely, the Phoenix Settlement, Ohlange Institute and Inanda Seminary. This is an important heritage route in post-apartheid KwaZulu-Natal, established in line with national government projects aimed at transforming the cultural landscape. As such, the route represents a particular approach to South African public history, strongly focused on a narrative of opposition to racial segregation and apartheid. The thesis provides a detailed analysis of the exhibitions found at the Phoenix Settlement, Ohlange Institute and Inanda Seminary. I discuss the overall dominance of biographical narration―featuring the lives and achievements of mission educated Africans and in which Gandhi is also presented as an important figure.