Decoloniality: A Critical Analysis of South African Context

The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." – Steve Biko. This article critically examines the discourse of decoloniality, a revolutionary school of thought that challenges the enduring legacies of colonialism and its continued influence on global power hierarchies. Using South Africa as a case study, it explores the pervasive coloniality of power, knowledge, and being, and how these constructs perpetuate the marginalization of indigenous ideas, cultures, and developmental strategies in the Global South. The analysis delves into the historical and contemporary struggles for epistemic autonomy, including movements like Rhodes Must Fall, highlighting the ongoing call for decolonized education and indigenous knowledge systems. While recognizing the transformative potential of decoloniality, the paper also critiques its limitations and the complexity of achieving true equality in a deeply stratified global order. Ultimately, this study underscores the imperative for diverse, decentralized knowledge production and a reimagined global framework that values the voices of the marginalized