Professor Azwihangwisi Muthivhi Visits Herzen University to Present Groundbreaking Work on Decolonization Pedagogy
Professor Azwihangwisi Muthivhi, from the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, recently visited Herzen State Pedagogical University in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to present his monograph Decolonization Pedagogy. His research examines the enduring influence of Lev Vygotsky’s ideas on education in postcolonial societies, with a particular focus on South Africa.
In his presentation, Professor Azwihangwisi Muthivhi reflected on South Africa’s journey as one of the world’s youngest democracies, gaining independence in 1994. He emphasised that while the education system remains heavily influenced by neoliberal concepts, Vygotsky’s theories of learning and interconnectedness hold the potential to transform education:
“There is a deeply rooted belief that people are fundamentally disconnected, which limits creativity and unity. Individuality is important, but it should exist within a sense of connection to others. My research seeks to find ways to preserve and strengthen this unity through Vygotsky’s ideas.”
The visit formed part of the IX International Summer University ISCAR 2025, which aims to foster global collaboration and knowledge exchange in psychology, pedagogy, and teacher education. During his time at Herzen University, Professor Mutivi met with Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Internationalization, Sergey Sheremet, to discuss opportunities for future partnerships between the two universities.
In addition to academic discussions, Professor Mutivi was introduced to Russian culture and history through visits to the Fabergé Museum and the “Russia – My History” historical park. On 29 August 2025, he met with postgraduate students at Herzen University to continue sharing his insights on decolonisation and education.
This visit reflects a shared commitment to strengthening international collaboration, fostering cultural understanding, and advancing educational theory and practice to meet the challenges of a postcolonial world.