ANTESSA

Dantessa is a collection of scholars exploring the far-reaching influence of Dante’s literature in one of it’s most unlikely corners - South Africa. Our country’s historical complexity and subsequently complex population provides an ideal and unique space within which to extrapolate Dante’s imagination into novel academic territories.

-Lesego Maponyane

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The Dante Society of South Africa (DanteSSA) is group of scholars from various backgrounds and fields who read Dante’s works. It is a South African society that aims to produce a South African perspective on Dante. It comprises of both lecturers, established academics, and students who share an interest and passion for the phenomenon that is Dante. The society is not limited to academic endeavours and creative, personal responses to Dante’s works have been developed. Individuals in the group are in constant conversation with Dante’s poetry and develop lines of argument and research around which group discussions arise. DanteSSA is currently working on a book which will be published in the next two years, presenting South African explorations of the Commedia, and is in the midst of planning a conference to celebrate the Anno Dantesco, the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death.

-Ross Smith

 

The Dante Society of South Africa (Dantessa) was started in 2019 at Wits and brought together a collection of students and academics interested in Dante’s work for various personal and academic reasons. The society’s focus is Dante’s relevance and presence in South Africa. The theme of exile emerged immediately as a point of connection between Dante and South Africa. The society undertakes various projects to promote Dante’s presence in South Africa. The members are in continual dialogue with each other and Dante’s work to broaden understandings of and connections with Dante in South Africa.

-Thalén Rogers

 

Dantessa aims to cultivate a grassroots appreciation and scholarship of Dante in South Africa’s academic circles. It offers a fresh and uniquely South African perspective that demonstrates that appreciation for this Monument of Italian and world literature, and his work and legacy, truly transcends time and location.

-Anna van Urk

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Dantessa is a space where South Africans can explore Dante from a perspective that is too often overlooked. The continent of Africa offers lived experiences and rich ideas with a resounding voice that the world is ready to hear. Dantessa facilitates this voice, and proves that Africa and the global south can take Dante’s writings and interpret them in a new light. This is done through bringing together minds, conversations, and an exploration of how being African in the 21st century can inform perspectives on one of the most influential writers in history.
-Shayna Josi