Caitlin Daniels, an MA Geography candidate, attended the Inaugural Black Geographies Collective Workshop held in Cape Town from 30 July to 1 August. The Collective, founded by postgraduate students and early career researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC), grew out of informal conversations held in corridors and outside lecture halls. What began as small discussions has developed into a student-led initiative committed to radically decolonising the discipline of Geography and creating more inclusive, transformative spaces for future scholars.

Caitlin represented the University of Pretoria as one of the participants from nine universities across the country. The workshop was made possible through a grant from Antipode, which provided the space for these thought-provoking and challenging discussions to take place.

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“Over three days, we engaged with keynote lectures, collaborative workshops, and creative sessions that critically examined the colonial entanglements of Geography, highlighted the importance of institutional memory, and explored how African ontologies and indigenous knowledge systems can transform the discipline. The programme combined incisive academic critique with imaginative and embodied forms of knowledge-making, challenging us to rethink geography’s future and the possibilities of more inclusive and collaborative approaches.

What stood out most for me was the atmosphere of openness and connection. The workshop created a space where students could share not only academic perspectives, but also personal experiences, frustrations, and hopes. This collective engagement fostered both intellectual growth and a sense of solidarity. It was inspiring to hear how other students are thinking through similar challenges and to recognise the shared desire for change across different institutions.

Attending this workshop exceeded my expectations. It allowed me to grow not only as an aspiring academic but also as a person. I left with new friendships, fresh insights, and ideas I am eager to carry forward. Being part of this movement showed me how transformative it can be when students take the lead in shaping the future of our discipline”.