Multiple Mnazi Mmoja Exploring Identities of Contemporary African Urban Landscapes through an Experimental Architectural Studio: Unit 15X at the GSA

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Cover image: A public space in Johannesburg. Credit: GIZ VCP, Inclusive violence and crime prevention programme.
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Published: Dec 31, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32891/jps.v7i1.1534
Keywords:
transformative pedagogy decolonising identities urban multiculturalism Mnazi Mmoja

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Finzi Saidi
University of Johannesburg
Jabulani Absalom Makhubu
University of the Witwatersrand
Dickson Adu-Agyei
University of Johannesburg

Abstract

This paper argues for the appreciation of multiple identities present within cities in Africa by discussing the pedagogic experiment of an architectural design studio and the design projects of the studio between 2017 and 2019. Mnazi Mmoja is a Kiswahili phrase loosely translated to mean "one coconut tree"- oneness in a post-colonial context. This paper interrogates the problematic single-stroke description of African challenges, a continent with over 51 countries with diverse cultures, ethnicities, and urban morphologies. The paper argues that there are many Mnazi Mmoja. Unit15X’s design teaching strategy has been to challenge knowledge in architecture, landscape, and urban design by First taking students at the University of Johannesburg to other African countries to foster cultural awareness. Secondly, Unit15X’s studio utilizes landscape themes, allowing students to research complex relationships between urban inhabitants and their landscapes and their production to enhance critical awareness and move beyond aesthetic explorations. Our curiosity guides us to understand what it means to practice architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and planning by interrogating public spaces on the continent. This paper discusses Unit15X's studio exploration of Larval (Emergent) Landscapes on the public space of the Mnazi Moja site of historical and cultural significance in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania through two students' speculative design projects.
Two students’ projects, The Anti-Atlas, and The One Coconut Tree, explore the concept of  Mnazi Mmoja- 'oneness' - to pause questions that challenge planning and design legislations and begin to speculate on how indigenous knowledge, multiple identities, and African material conditions can be (re)-applied to contemporary contexts in order to raise awareness of:  identity; multiculturalism in cites; post-colonial urbanism within cities in an attempt to reinterpret the multiple representations of the concept of Mnazi Mmoja.    

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How to Cite
Saidi, F., Makhubu, J. A. and Adu-Agyei, D. (2022) “Multiple Mnazi Mmoja: Exploring Identities of Contemporary African Urban Landscapes through an Experimental Architectural Studio: Unit 15X at the GSA”, The Journal of Public Space, 7(1), pp. 231–250. doi: 10.32891/jps.v7i1.1534.
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2022): Public Space and Placemaking in African Cities
Section
Academic
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Author Biographies

Finzi Saidi, University of Johannesburg

Finzi Saidi is the head of the Department of Architecture and Unit 15(X) research leader in the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg. He holds a Ph.D., a Master of Landscape Design degree from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Copperbelt University in Zambia. His recent teaching and research activities have been in the Graduate School of Architecture with landscape research themes: Resilient landscapes; Radical Landscapes, Larval Landscapes; Remembering Landscapes; Toxic Landscape; and Landscapes of Memory in 2022. His research interest is transforming the curriculum of built environment programmes and professions on the African continent.

Jabulani Absalom Makhubu, University of the Witwatersrand

Jabu Absalom Makhubu is a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, their research interests are in the field of architectural education, urban design, and African urbanisms. Currently pursuing a PhD at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria, South Africa, they are deeply engaged in exploring the dynamics of contemporary African urban environments. Their doctoral research, titled "Radical Praxis” under the guidance of Prof. Amira Osman (TUT) and co-supervisor Dr. Finzi Saidi (UJ), underscores their commitment to understanding evolving pedagogic and urban landscapes. An active participant in academia, Jabu has (co)authored several notable publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Their contributions encompass a diverse range of topics, including the exploration of African urban identities, the impact of transport networks on social cohesion, and innovative architectural pedagogies. With their extensive experience, Jabu has participated in international programs and workshops, enriching their understanding of urban sustainability and resilience. As a researcher, they have contributed to significant projects, including the Dar es Salaam Open Public Space Upgrade (DOPSU), which aimed to enhance sustainable public spaces in Tanzania. Jabu’s industry experience includes many years working in key architectural and urban design projects at ASM Architects and Urban Designers, a prominent practice in Johannesburg.

Dickson Adu-Agyei, University of Johannesburg

Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg Graduate School of Architecture (Unit20), he holds a Master’s degree in Architecture Technology (Professional Architect Category) with extensive experience in the architectural industry both in Ghana and South Africa. He has 5 years of teaching experience, co-supervised 9 Masters of Technology Architecture Students in 2019, 4 Masters of Architecture (MArch) students in 2020 and 5 MArch students in 2021. Co-authored a peer-reviewed, published conference proceeding at Cumulus Bogotá, 2019 and Cumulus Rome 2021.” He is a professional architect, founder of Adu Agyei Architecture studio, and the leader of Unit 20 at the University of Johannesburg’s Graduate School of Architecture (GSA). His research interest lies in a collaboration and multi-disciplinary approach to design thinking, making and research. He is interested in exploring how digital technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, AI simulators can be used to bridge the gap between the academy and the industry, as well as how architectural design and representation can be formulated, expanded and articulated to reflect context, and narratives through film and digital illustration.

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