©
AfOx
When I began my academic journey, I was driven by a deep desire to understand how societies can be made more just—not just in theory, but in practice. My research looks at how the social justice lens is reshaping conversations on land ownership and knowledge production in Africa, with a particular focus on Zimbabwe and the broader global South.
At the heart of my work is a simple but powerful question: What does justice look like for communities striving to define their own futures? This question has led me to explore how knowledge is created, who gets to produce it, and how one of the most contested and symbolic resources in Africa is distributed and governed-land.
A fair approach to knowledge and land
In many parts of the global South, knowledge systems have long been shaped by external forces. Colonial legacies, global academic hierarchies, and economic inequalities have often sidelined local voices and indigenous ways of knowing. Similarly, land ownership patterns remain deeply unequal, with historical injustices continuing to shape who has access to land and who does not.
My research looks at how we can make the way we share knowledge and own land fairer and more helpful for local communities.
My investigation looks to explain at how we can create knowledge that truly benefits the people who need it most. Including, how we should share land in ways that are fair, long-lasting, and give people more control over their lives.
This isn’t just about ideas in books. It’s based on real-life experiences of people who are fighting for fairness—whether they’re trying to get back land that was taken from them or trying to share knowledge that reflects their own lives. By focusing on their voices, I hope to help build a world where more people can take part in creating and sharing knowledge that matters.
A Journey rooted in purpose
Too often, discussions of justice in Africa are framed through external lenses, missing the nuances of local contexts. I wanted to explore how social justice can be reimagined from within, drawing on the values, histories, and aspirations of African communities.
What drives me is the belief that people should have the freedom to define what is best for them. This includes the right to produce knowledge that reflects their lived experiences and to access land in ways that support their well-being and dignity. My hope is that my work will inspire others to reflect on what justice means in their own contexts and ultimately to act on it.
Amplifying impact through the AfOx fellowship
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Fellowship has been instrumental in advancing my research. It has provided a platform to share my work with a broader audience. More importantly, it has enabled me to collaborate closely with my Oxford-based colleague, Dr Alberto Giubilini, whose insights have helped sharpen my thinking and refine my arguments.
One of the most rewarding moments of the fellowship was presenting the first paper from my project at the Uehiro Oxford Institute. The feedback I received was both encouraging and thought-provoking, and it affirmed the relevance of my work in global academic conversations.
As I look ahead, I am excited about the possibilities for collaborative research that bridges continents and disciplines. I believe we can build more integrated societies and more just futures.
Dr Dennis Masaka from the Great Zimbabwe University is an AfOx fellow previously based at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics and was affiliated with Rueben College at the University of Oxford.