, HED4805 ASSIGNMENT 03
DUE DATE: 10 AUGUST 2026
Question 1:
Colonialism, Coloniality and Post-Colonial Africa
1. Define "colonialism" in your own words. (3)
Colonialism refers to a system in which a powerful foreign country takes control of
another country or territory for political, economic, and social gain. The colonising
power governs the colonised people, exploits their natural and human resources, and
imposes its own laws, culture, language, religion, and education system. In the African
context, colonialism resulted in the loss of sovereignty, land dispossession, cultural
suppression, and economic exploitation (Seroto et al., 2020).
2. How does Maldonado-Torres explain the concept of coloniality? (2)
According to Maldonado-Torres, coloniality refers to the continuation of colonial
patterns of power, knowledge, culture, and social relations even after formal colonial
rule has ended. Although political independence may be achieved, colonial ways of
thinking, institutions, and systems of knowledge remain embedded within society and
continue to shape people's identities and worldviews (Seroto et al., 2020).
3. Explain the difference between colonialism and coloniality. (5)
Colonialism and coloniality are closely related but distinct concepts.
Colonialism refers to the direct political and economic domination of one country by
another through foreign rule. During colonialism, European powers exercised authority
over African territories, controlled governance, exploited resources, and imposed
foreign systems of education, religion, and administration (Seroto et al., 2020).
Coloniality, on the other hand, refers to the enduring legacy of colonialism after political
independence has been achieved. It exists through institutions, knowledge systems,
cultural beliefs, language, and social structures that continue to privilege Western ideas
while marginalising African knowledge and identities. Coloniality therefore represents
the long-term continuation of colonial power without direct colonial administration
(Maldonado-Torres, 2007, as cited in Seroto et al., 2020).
DUE DATE: 10 AUGUST 2026
Question 1:
Colonialism, Coloniality and Post-Colonial Africa
1. Define "colonialism" in your own words. (3)
Colonialism refers to a system in which a powerful foreign country takes control of
another country or territory for political, economic, and social gain. The colonising
power governs the colonised people, exploits their natural and human resources, and
imposes its own laws, culture, language, religion, and education system. In the African
context, colonialism resulted in the loss of sovereignty, land dispossession, cultural
suppression, and economic exploitation (Seroto et al., 2020).
2. How does Maldonado-Torres explain the concept of coloniality? (2)
According to Maldonado-Torres, coloniality refers to the continuation of colonial
patterns of power, knowledge, culture, and social relations even after formal colonial
rule has ended. Although political independence may be achieved, colonial ways of
thinking, institutions, and systems of knowledge remain embedded within society and
continue to shape people's identities and worldviews (Seroto et al., 2020).
3. Explain the difference between colonialism and coloniality. (5)
Colonialism and coloniality are closely related but distinct concepts.
Colonialism refers to the direct political and economic domination of one country by
another through foreign rule. During colonialism, European powers exercised authority
over African territories, controlled governance, exploited resources, and imposed
foreign systems of education, religion, and administration (Seroto et al., 2020).
Coloniality, on the other hand, refers to the enduring legacy of colonialism after political
independence has been achieved. It exists through institutions, knowledge systems,
cultural beliefs, language, and social structures that continue to privilege Western ideas
while marginalising African knowledge and identities. Coloniality therefore represents
the long-term continuation of colonial power without direct colonial administration
(Maldonado-Torres, 2007, as cited in Seroto et al., 2020).
