“Toxic Colonialism and Resilience: An Ecofeminist Reading of the African Child in Fiction by Contemporary Women Writers”
Country of Study
South Africa
Institution
Stellenbosch University
Expected Year of Completion
2025
Thematic Area
Indigenous Knowledge Systems/Literature
Education
Selma holds a Master of Arts in English Studies from the University of Namibia. She is currently pursuing a PhD in English at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Selma has completed her coursework and successfully defended her research proposal. She is expected to complete her PhD in December 2025. Selma works as an English Teacher and Head of Department at the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture.
Research Summary
Selma’s research addresses the gap in ecofeminist theory by focusing on the neglected figure of the African child in relation to environmental exploitation. Despite the critical importance of children in the context of environmental degradation, existing ecofeminist discourse has largely overlooked their vulnerability. This study highlights how African children’s lives are directly impacted by the slow violence of toxic colonialism, both historical and current, as portrayed in the works of Valerie Tagwira, Karen Jayes, and Imbolo Mbue. By centering the child in these narratives, the research proposes a reconfiguration of ecofeminism, offering a new lens through which to understand the intersection of colonial legacies and environmental injustice. Through this, the study aims to contribute to ecofeminist literary criticism and promote an educational approach to environmental activism for children.
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