History of the Institute

The Kara Heritage Institute was established by Prof. Mathole Necherofo Motshekga in 1982 when he was a research fellow at the Max Planct Institute for Foreign and International Law in the Federal Republic of west Germany. Prof. Motshekga was assisted by a Tongolese Student - (Saba Qgobal) and an Angolan Student (Ndombasi Mavinga), who were students at Albert - Ludwig's University where Prof. Motshekga delivered public lectures on KARA philosophy. The institute was formally known as the Kara School of Philosophy, Arts and Culture. It was registered as an NGO under German Law.

Prof. Motshekga came to Albert Ludwig's University at the end of 1981 from Harvard University where he obtained a Masters in Law (LLM) degree with distinctions in Human Rights Law, United Nations Law and Law and Development. Upon completion of his LLM degree, he was admitted as a visiting scholar in the African Studies Centre at Harvard University. Here Prof. Motshekga read African philosophy, ancient and medieval history and philosophy.

On his arrival in Germany, Prof. Motshekga was appointed a visiting Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Albert Ludwig's University. During his stay at this University, Prof. Motshekga studied the history of philosophy from antiquity, philosophy, history of Ancient Ethiopia and Egypt as well as Hieroglyphica. During his stay in Germany, Prof. Motshekga gave the following public lectures:

1. An integrative macro-micro cosmic theory of the Evolution and Nature of Man at Albert Ludwig's University, Freiburg im Bresgau.
2. Questions relating to Evolution and Nature in Africa at Bayreauth University, Bayreuth in the Federal republic of West Germany.
3. The Nature and Significance of KARA Philosophy Today and Tomorrow at Hatha Yoga School, Freiburg IM Bresgau.
4. The Essence and Significance of African Nature religions with specific reference to the Karanga at the KHG; Forum for International Dialogue, Bierbronen.

Upon his return to South Africa in 1984, Prof. Motshekga established the KARA Cultural Centre in Mamelodi, Pretoria, with the assistance of Mr. Nokoai Ramasehla and Ms. Ntsoaki Moletsane, now working for the Gauteng Provincial Government.
The primary goal of the KARA Cultural Centre was:
" to promote informal education, research and writing on all topics pertaining to Africa and any other matter incidental there to.
" to counsel students on the choice of subjects and career as well as the availability of study and research opportunities and
" to create a forum for intellectual exchange, by organising seminars on matters falling within the aims and objects of the centre.

In South Africa Prof. Motshekga delivered the following public lectures:
1. The Politics of Education and Culture in South Africa, Pretoria.
2. African Cultures, Religion, Humanism and Christianity, Funda Centre Soweto (in Johannesburg).
3. The Effects of Cultural Factors in the helping professions at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the South African Black social Workers Association held in September 1985.
4. An Indigenous Africa view of the Creation or Evolution of the Universe and man - Mamelodi, 1985.