In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Hlengiwe Ndlovu to unpack the complex dynamics of state-society relations. We dive deep into the tension between freedom and democracy, exploring the often overlooked nuances of these concepts. Drawing from her thesis, Dr. Ndlovu shares insights from interviews with local historians in Duncan Village, who reveal that their struggle was not simply for democracy, but for something much deeper. Known for her unconventional approach, Dr. Ndlovu writes as a true labor of love, blending rigorous scholarship with heartfelt storytelling. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation.

Links to articles:

Dr Ndlovu’s PhD

https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/items/4e6995ae-b6bb-49a9-96a2-c073f9acc021

Labor of love: Re‐membering dismembered bodies in community research

https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.13117

Forgotten Bodies or Silenced Voices? Recasting Women’s Voices at the Bantu Square Massacre of East London, 1952

https://doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2023.2337516

Bodies that (do not) matter? Black Sunday and narratives of the death of Sister Aidan Quinlan in Duncan Village protest, 1952

https://doi.org/10.1080/10130950.2019.1690314