The Annual Maya K. Peterson Memorial Lecture

“Colonizing Water: Empire, Commodification, and Appropriation in Africa”
Matthew Bender, Professor of History, The College of New Jersey
Friday, May 8, 2:30-4:00pm; Alumni Room @ UCSC’s University Center

In early 2018, the city of Cape Town nearly ran out of water. South Africa’s “Mother City,” renowned for its cosmopolitan population and natural beauty, faced the prospect of a “Day Zero,” when it would be forced to close its taps and force millions to queue for water rations. Across much of the continent, though, water scarcity is an everyday reality, with nearly 1 in 3 people lacking access to sufficient drinking water. How did this become the case? This talk explores the history of water on the African continent, using a historical lens to understand the present-day water crisis. It shows how these resources came to be “colonized” through the mechanisms of imperialism in Africa. European colonial actors in the 19th and 20th centuries attempted to transform the ownership, management, and meaning of water with the aim of harnessing its powers to advance their objectives. In doing so, they created deep seeded inequities and underdevelopment that has persisted in the decades since African colonies gained their independence. This historical analysis shows that many of the present-day obstacles to providing clean, safe water stem from legacies of colonial rule. Yet it also shows the many ways in which everyday Africans proved resilient, finding ways to thrive despite the odds.

Matthew Bender is Professor of History at The College of New Jersey. His research focuses on modern African social and cultural history, with interest in the environment, natural resources, and agriculture. A leading scholar in water history, he has authored numerous articles, essays, and chapters as well as a book entitled Water Brings No Harm: Management Knowledge and the Struggle for the Waters of Kilimanjaro (Ohio University Press, 2019).

This event is made possible by the generous support of the Maya K. Peterson Memorial Endowment.