We are saddened by the recent news of the passing of a colleague and dear friend who served the institution back in the 1990s, as a professor in the Department of History, Professor Owen Kalinga.
On behalf of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, staff, and students in the department, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the entire family on the passing of Prof. Kalinga. My healing prayers go out to them and I wish them well as they deal with the passing of their loved one. We live in hope that time will heal them.
Prof. Leslie Witz, Senior Professor in the department, pays homage to him in the following narrative:
"Owen was from Malawi and his work centred on the environment, medical history and making of Malawian histories. He was always supportive of our work at UWC and was instrumental in developing African history at the very core of our teaching and research. He was particularly enthusiastic about the new and challenging directions we were taking in re-thinking History, always encouraging younger colleagues (like myself) in their work.
"His writings also became key in the courses and programmes we taught, particularly his ground-breaking study of the production of Malawian history in the colonial and post-colonial eras.
"It was one of the saddest moments in the Department of History when he left us to take up a position at North Carolina State University. It is perhaps apt that at the moment of Owen's passing the Department is altering its name to Historical Studies, indicating a much broader approach than that indicated by the disciplinary marker of History. It is something that Owen would have supported and encouraged. We are going to miss Owen, his scholarship, engagement and most particularly his kindness, warmth and generosity."
Sincerely
Prof. Monwabisi K. Ralarala (Dean)
Faculty Of Arts & Humanities
On behalf of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, staff, and students in the department, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the entire family on the passing of Prof. Kalinga. My healing prayers go out to them and I wish them well as they deal with the passing of their loved one. We live in hope that time will heal them.
Prof. Leslie Witz, Senior Professor in the department, pays homage to him in the following narrative:
"Owen was from Malawi and his work centred on the environment, medical history and making of Malawian histories. He was always supportive of our work at UWC and was instrumental in developing African history at the very core of our teaching and research. He was particularly enthusiastic about the new and challenging directions we were taking in re-thinking History, always encouraging younger colleagues (like myself) in their work.
"His writings also became key in the courses and programmes we taught, particularly his ground-breaking study of the production of Malawian history in the colonial and post-colonial eras.
"It was one of the saddest moments in the Department of History when he left us to take up a position at North Carolina State University. It is perhaps apt that at the moment of Owen's passing the Department is altering its name to Historical Studies, indicating a much broader approach than that indicated by the disciplinary marker of History. It is something that Owen would have supported and encouraged. We are going to miss Owen, his scholarship, engagement and most particularly his kindness, warmth and generosity."
Sincerely
Prof. Monwabisi K. Ralarala (Dean)
Faculty Of Arts & Humanities
