Liberating Africa's future generations from the myth of redemptive violence through peace education

Abstract

This paper explores how Africa's future generations can be liberated from the myth of redemptive violence through peace education. It critiques the myth perpetuated through Hollywood movies that violence redeems and brings peace and stability. In its place, it calls for a liberating education that emphasizes nonviolent methods of conflict resolution and engenders a culture of peace, reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect. It argues that without a deliberate attempt to incorporate peace education into the school curriculum, the current cycles of violence which characterize the post-colonial era in Africa will continue unabated. Possible approaches to peace education are suggested. These include learner-centred, participatory, cooperative and interactive methodologies. It is through peace education that Africa can re-orient itself towards its own humane philosophy of hunhu/ubuntu.