The Oxford University Africa Society, popularly known as AfriSoc, is a vibrant student-led society with members from all over the African continent and the diaspora. AfriSoc aims to build a supportive community for African students in Oxford, mentor African scholars and provide a platform to discuss African issues, and bring together people from all backgrounds who share a desire for positive change in Africa. Established in 1958, AfriSoc continues to be a home away from home for many African students and others seeking to learn more about Africa.
To support community building, AfriSoc organises academic, leadership, welfare and social events throughout the academic year to celebrate Black excellence and share Black joy.
The annual Oxford Africa Conference, which brings together local, regional and global experts to explore ways of contributing to Africa’s fast-growing economy, is a crucial example. The 2021 gathering, themed “Scaling Africa’s Start-up Ecosystems,” provided insights on solving Africa’s most significant challenges by leveraging startup from keynote speakers Basil Moftah (NClude VC) and Onajite Emerhor (Google Startups) and integrated panels and workshops. It comprised of the Innovation Seed Fund Challenge, which awarded 5 Oxford students with high potential research or innovative projects for scaling Africa’s startup ecosystem. Funded through the office of the Vice Chancellor, a £10,000 seed fund was provided to five students to develop their innovation.
In addition to the problem-solving-focused seminars and conferences, the society organises academic mentorship programs for brilliant Africans applying to Oxford University. In 2022, AfriSoc mentored over 100 students, of which 57 submitted their applications and 17 gained admission to Oxford. AfriSoc also organises free weekly Kiswahili classes for members who wish to learn a new language. The Kiswahili faculty takes learners from beginner level to Kiswahili conversational proficiency. Other academic events include the reading corner, essay writing workshops and research roundtables in collaboration with AfOx.
In terms of welfare, AfriSoc runs a robust student welfare programme. For example, the welfare officer is available to talk about varying concerns students may have. In addition, as part of wellbeing, the society organises welfare events like complimentary tea and cake events for members.
In the social spectrum, and to help members unwind from the academic stress as well as foster community, AfriSoc organises termly AfroBops. AfroBops are some of the best bops in Oxford because they are a medley of African music from Afrobeats to Amapiano, Ndombolo to Rumba, Hip Pop to RnB and Kwaito to Reggae. AfroBops are also a chance for members to showcase their moves and dance the Oxford blues away.
Other community-building activities include showcasing major continental events like the Africa cup of nations (AFCON). In true African spirit and for the love of the game, the society organised a watch party for the 2021 AFCON finals between the Pharaohs of Egypt and Senegal’s Lions of Teranga. For anyone who knows nothing about African football, the watch parties are a must-attend event; the energy is electric.
AfriSoc also organises talk series, feminist discussions, fireside chats with artists, game nights, movie nights, BBQs, picnics, and garden parties. My favourite AfriSoc events were the BBQs in Trinity term. Coming to Oxford, I struggled to adjust to the cold, gloomy weather and the bland food. By Trinity, the weather felt more like home and coming from Southern Africa (Zambia), when the weather is beautiful, it’s time to get grilling. After months of searching for food that tastes like home, Dennis, the AfriSoc braai master, teleported my tastebuds right back to Africa. What makes an AfriSoc BBQ special is that we don’t BBQ, we Braai (if you know, you know). If you don’t, I encourage you to attend one of our cookout events to taste the difference.
The society buzzed with activity in the 2021/2022 academic year, but it promises to be even more exciting this year. AfriSoc aims to collaborate with other Africanist organisations like AfOx and in institutions outside Oxford like UNESCO to foster collaborative academic and social projects. AfriSoc further intends to open up spaces for incoming and continuing students to showcase their capabilities and creativity in organising community-led activities. AfriSoc is also advancing its peer mentorship programs for society members and Africans seeking admission and scholarship to the University of Oxford. Though the year in Oxford is taxing, one thing is sure: the upcoming academic year promises to be one full of AfriSoc-infused Black joy and celebrations of all things Africa in Oxford. Like the Shona proverb “chitsva chiri murutsoka,” loosely translated as “new things, new experiences and new ideas are found in new places.”
The society is under the leadership of the new executive committee; President Chukwuemeka Nwangele, Vice President Ruth Fredrick Shoo, Treasurer Mary Adeyemo, General Secretary Chishimba Kasanga and Welfare Officer Buntu Fanteso for the 2022/2023 academic year. Visit the Oxford Africa Society website and subscribe to AfriSoc to stay connected with the society and not miss important information and ticket sales (AfriSoc event tickets sell like hot cakes). You can get in touch by contacting africa.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk, reading our weekly newsletters and following us on our social media handles; Oxford Uni Africa Society on Instagram, Oxford University Africa Society on Facebook and @oxfordafrica on Twitter.