The Effendi Legacy: Bridging Cultures at the Bo-Kaap Museum

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: ‘When I searched these families in Turkish archives, I noticed that the property at 71 Wale Street used to be the house of Mahmud Fakih Effendi, the last ...

Watch VideoNeither white nor black enough: Caught between the racial divides

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

‘Discrimination and prejudice persist, as individuals from the Coloured and Malay community face exclusion or limited access to resources, employment, and education. ...

An Uncomfortable Paradise: Simon’s Town’s forgotten history of enslaved people

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

‘While Simon’s Town’s ties to the British Royal Navy is well-documented, there is another narrative. This narrative has, sadly, been neglected. It is the story of ...

South African Muslims supported the Ottoman Army during the Turco-Italian War

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

The Turco-Italian War, fought between the Ottoman Empire and Italy from September 1911 to October 1912, primarily in Libya, stands as a pivotal moment in history ...

‘Anatomy of a South African Genocide’: What is genocide of a people?

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

‘Genocide is a term that evokes images of unspeakable human suffering, violence and systemic destruction. ‘

‘Yaller man’ Rhodes’ meeting with the Sultan of Türkiye did not go well

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

‘When Rhodes was talking in a racist manner about ‘yaller men’, Sultan Abdulhamid was paying the salaries at three Ottoman Arabic schools in South Africa to educate ...

Reading British Imperialism from the will of Cecil John Rhodes

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

‘One of Rhodes’s most controversial activities was his involvement in the mining industry, particularly diamond and gold mining in southern Africa. He founded the ...

Cape Muslims as perceived by a Turkish theologian in 1878

Halim Gençoğlu and Opinion|Published

COLUMN: Known for his humility, education, and dedication to Islamic scholarship, the Professor Abubakr Effendi played a significant role in the 19th century South ...

Anglo-Boer War Veterans in the Gallipoli, March 1915, Campaign

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: The British Army’s participation in the Gallipoli Campaign formed part of a larger strategy to open a new front against the Central Powers, primarily the ...

The meaning of Ramadaan for Muslims in South Africa

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: Islam in South Africa has a rich history that dates back centuries, shaped by diverse cultural influences and the struggle against apartheid.

When will the UK give back the Star of South Africa?

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: The British Museum, a public-owned institution, has faced scrutiny in the past decade for artefacts, including those from Africa, viewed by some as stolen ...

Journeying from the hills of Asia to Africa: the story of Yoghurt

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: Since I moved to South Africa more than a decade ago, I have been making my yoghurt at home.

Good Jews, Bad Jews: A Historical Analysis

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: The distinction between good and bad is subjective and varies across cultures, societies and individuals. Factors such as empathy, kindness, integrity, and ...

SA’s inaugural coloured aviator took part in World War I

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: The Rhodesia Herald reported on August 29, 1913: “First coloured aviator Mr Rushdi Attaullah, the younger son of the late Ahmad Attaoullah Effendi of Cape ...

Is South Africa anti-Semitic? The answer lies in the context

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

OPINION: Following South Africa’s legal victory against Israeli crimes in the Middle East and amid widespread support for the South African team, certain proponents ...

Why isn’t Palestinian history taught in SA universities?

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: Otherwise, I am curious why we don’t teach Palestinian history in South African universities.

The Turkish legacy in South Africa: Challenging the colonial mindset

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: While some argue that the Turkish presence in Africa originated in the 16th century when the Ottoman State established relations with the African Emirates, ...

Enkosi South Africa for decolonising the law

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: South Africa continues the legacy of Nelson Mandela, echoing his sentiments from the 1990s when Madiba used to proclaim that America was the embodiment of ...

An Eastern response to Western Islamophobia

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: After winning the majority of seats in the recent election, Geert Wilders, a prominent Dutch anti-Islam politician, expressed his determination to become ...

Lessons from the Anglo-Boer War Concentration Camps

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

The Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) was more than a conflict between the British Empire and the Boer republics of South Africa; its impact reverberated worldwide at the ...

The study of history is a powerful lens to understand the present

Halim Gençoğlu|Published

COLUMN: Undoubtedly, it is much easier to work in a country if the people understand the topic, such as South Africans, and are friendly in the institution, like ...