Khwezi Mkhize

Khwezi Mkhize is an Assistant Professor of African & African American Studies at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (2015). His research focuses on South African colonial and postcolonial history, with particular attention to questions of power, identity, and representation in literature and media. Mkhize explores themes such as the aftermath of apartheid, pan-Africanism, and the intersections of race, law, and cultural production.

Education: Ph.D. in African Studies from the University of Pennsylvania (2015).

Research Interests: Postcolonial theory, literary criticism, South African political history, colonial archives, and the role of periodicals in shaping African intellectual discourse. His work critiques how colonial legacies persist in contemporary discourses of belonging and nationalism.

Teaching: Courses include 'Introduction to African Studies,' 'Popular Arts and Culture in Africa,' and graduate seminars on diversity and cultural theory. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending historical analysis with literary and sociopolitical frameworks.

Publications: Over 8 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on John Tengo Jabavu’s periodicals, post-apartheid identity politics, and the ethical dimensions of African poetry. His writing bridges academic rigor with accessible critiques of cultural narratives.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Duke’s African & African American Studies department, collaborating on projects related to global south studies and decolonial theory.