On Thursday, 16 May 2024, UCT Press celebrated its first book launch since its relaunch as an African open access publisher last year. The Press, now located in UCT Libraries, launched Contested Karoo: Interdisciplinary perspectives on change and continuity in South Africa’s drylands, edited by Professors Cherryl Walker and Timm Hoffman. The book was the centrepiece of a vibrant discussion, led by Professor Emma Archer, a geographer from the University of Pretoria.

Facilitated by Professor Fiona Ross, Chair of the UCT Press Board, this hybrid event allowed many of the chapter authors to participate in the lively discourse, which focussed on key themes and findings of the book.

Some of these themes included the significant land-use changes in South Africa’s semi-arid Karoo region, renewable and non-renewable energy sources, biodiversity conservation, commercial game farming, mining, and major investments in astronomy (notably the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope). The authors and editors highlighted the paradoxical nature of changes in the Karoo: while they promise significant benefits, they also risk perpetuating historical patterns of dispossession and extractivism.

Contested Karoo: Interdisciplinary perspectives on change and continuity in South Africa’s drylands is available open access by freely viewing and downloading the book on UCT Press’ website at this link.