Decolonising Oppressive Epistemologies in the Higher Education System
Authors
Peace and Governance, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Peace and Governance, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150900061
Subject Category: Philosophy
Volume/Issue: 15/9 | Page No: 1792-1799
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-07-15
Accepted: 2026-07-20
Published: 2026-10-10
Abstract
This paper examines the process of decolonizing higher education in Africa through knowledge production in order for educational transformation to take place. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper explores the calls for decoloniality and the practical approaches to decolonizing oppressive epistemologies in higher education. In this context, decoloniality theory serves as an analytical lens for informing both pedagogical approaches and institutional transformations in African higher education. This theory has been selected because it proffers recommendations that support systemic change. Central to this paper is an idea that higher education cannot be thought of in decolonial terms if it remains disconnected from acts of democratic action and transformation, the actions of access and equality. So, to pursue actions related to democratic actions such as equality, liberty, inclusion, tolerance, diversity and innovation is inadequate if education is not connected to such actions.
Keywords
Decoloniality, Higher Education, Africa, Knowledge Production, Educational Transformation, Epistemology, Democracy, Equality, Inclusion, Diversity.
Downloads
References
1. Adichie, C. N. (2019). Notes on a native son. Knopf. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Asante, M. K. (2007). _An Afrocentric manifesto_. Polity Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Badat, S. (2022). _Transformation in South African higher education_. CHET. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Cawood, G., & Amiradakis, A. (2022). Critical decolonial theory: A methodological paradigm for proactive decolonization. _Journal of Community Psychology_, _50_(3), 1139–1154. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Chilisa, B. (2022). _Indigenous research methodologies_ (2nd ed.). SAGE. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Chitando, E. (2021). Heritage, innovation and higher education in Zimbabwe. _Journal of Southern African Studies_, _47_(4), [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Cloete, N., Bunting, I., & Maassen, P. (2021). _Transformation in higher education: A comparative study_. CHET. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Essop, A. (2022). Student experience and epistemic justice. _South African Journal of Higher Education_, _36_(3), 1–15 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Fricker, M. (2020). _Epistemic injustice: Power and the ethics of knowing_. Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Garson, P. (2004). _Education in South Africa_. South [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Heleta, S. (2021). Decolonisation of higher education in South Africa. _Higher Education_, _81_(1), 233–246. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Higgs, P. (2020). Indigenous knowledge and African philosophy. _Indilinga_, _19_(1), 1–12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Jansen, J. (2023). _The decolonisation of South African universities: A critical review_. Wits University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Keet, A. (2020). Epistemic othering and the politics of knowledge. _Africa Education Review_, _17_(4), 1–14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Kirumira, R. N., & Musinguzi, B. (2023). The removal of colonial names, symbols and monuments in Uganda. In _Visual redress in Africa from indigenous and new materialist perspectives_ (pp. 239–254). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Knipe-Solomon, C. (2004, September 16). _Interview_ [Interview by L. Ocampo]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Le Grange, L. (2021). Curriculum responsiveness in the time of decolonisation. _South African Journal of Higher Education_, _35_(5), 1–13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Luescher, T. M. (2022). Student politics and institutional change in Africa. _Higher Education_, _84_(3), 525–541. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Machel, S. (1984). _Mozambique: Sowing the seeds of revolution_. Committee for a Free Mozambique. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Magwa, S., & Magwa, W. (2022). Education 5.0 and heritage-based learning in Zimbabwe. _Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research_, _34_(2), 112–129. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Makoni, S. (2023). Language and decolonisation in African universities. _Language Policy_, _22_(1), 45–62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Mandela, N. (1994). _Long walk to freedom: The autobiography of Nelson Mandela_. Little, Brown. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Maponga, O. (2024). Decolonizing oppressive epistemologies in higher education systems. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Mbiti, J. S. (2017). _African religions and philosophy_ (2nd ed.). Waveland Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Mbembe, A. (2021). _Out of the dark night: Essays on decolonization_. Columbia University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Morrow, W. (2007). _Learning to teach in South Africa_. HSRC Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Moyo, S. (2022). _Land and agrarian reform in Zimbabwe: Beyond white settler capitalism_. CODESRIA. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Mugabe, R. G. (2000). _Zimbabwe: The struggle for economic independence_. Jongwe Printing and Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Muller, J. (2014). The future of knowledge and knowing in the university. _European Journal of Education_, _49_(3), 328–340. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Nabudere, D. W. (2010). _Towards an African renaissance: Essays in African philosophy_. Africa World Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. J. (2015). Decoloniality as the future of Africa. _Africa Development_, _40_(3), 133–150. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Nkrumah, K. (1963). _Africa must unite_. Panaf Books. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Nyerere, J. K. (1968). _Freedom and socialism: A selection from writings & speeches, 1965–1967_. Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. O'Gorman, M. (2004, June 10). _Education disparity and racial earnings inequality: Insights from South Africa and the US_. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Owusu-Ansah, F., & Mji, G. (2022). Integrating indigenous knowledge in Ghanaian higher education. _International Journal of Inclusive Education_, _26_(7), 678–692. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Pearce, J. (2004). _SA poor's education struggle_. BBC News. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Poshai, T. (2024). Neoliberalism and exclusion in Zimbabwean universities. _Journal of African Education_, _5_(1), 45–63. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Santos, B. de S. (2021). _The end of the cognitive empire: The coming of age of epistemologies of the South_. Duke University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Schiele, J. H. (1994). Afrocentricity: Implications for higher education. _Journal of Black Studies_, _25_(2), 150–169. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Singh, M. (2021). Rethinking quality in higher education. _Quality in Higher Education_, _27_(2), 133–148. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
41. Tabensky, P. (2022). Beyond the symbolic: Institutional transformation. _Critical Studies in Teaching and Learning_, _10_(1), 1–15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
42. Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research. _BMC Medical Research Methodology_, _8_(1), 45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
43. wa Thiong'o, N. (1986). _Decolonising the mind: The politics of language in African literature_. James Currey. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
44. Zeleza, P. T. (2021). The pitfalls of Afrocentric essentialism. _African Studies Review_, _64_(3), 501–520. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]