Dr. Thuto Thipe

Biography

Thuto Thipe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Chicago, focusing on African history and the intersections of law, race, and colonialism. His research delves into the social legal history of 19th and 20th century South Africa, particularly examining the manuscript 'Black Freehold: Landownership in Alexandra Township'. This work narrates the complex history of land ownership in Alexandra Township, near Johannesburg, detailing how from 1912 to 1979 the state systematically stripped black landowners of their freehold land rights through forced removals, which largely resulted in the displacement of the community. Thipe's scholarly inquiries also engage with how these disruptions were driven by a white supremacist order aimed at dismantling black freehold rights, which had significant social implications for the residents of Alexandra. He holds a PhD in History and African American Studies from Yale University and a Master's degree in Gender Studies from the University of Cape Town. Thipe has previously held lecturer and researcher positions and obtained his BA from Macalester College.

Research Interests

Experience