Department of Greek and Latin Studies
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GRAECOAFRICAN AND AFRO-BYZANTINE STUDIES
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
27 0ctober – 1 November 2014
This Conference is sponsored
by the National Research Foundation of South Africa,
the Department of Greek and Latin Studies (University of
Johannesburg)
and the Institute for Afro-Hellenic Studies
Thanks are also due to the Lyceum of Greek Women (and the Maria Katrakis
Greek Archives of Southern Africa), the Jabavu Primary School (Soweto) and
the International Kazantzakis Association, which all contributed to this
Conference
Organizing Committee
Prof. B. Hendrickx, Prof. Thekla Sansaridou-Hendrickx,
Dr Efi Zacharopoulou, Dr Savvas Kyriakidis
Advisory Academic Committee
Prof. V. Christides, Prof. Ch. Bambounis,
Prof. Selamawit Mecca, Prof. Kizobo,
Prof. C. De Wet, Prof. C. Lombaard, Prof. Louise Cilliers,
Dr A. Tsakos, Dr Raita Steyn, Dr Luca di Campobianco,
Mr Georges Stassinakis
Advisory Supporting Committee
Mrs Domniki Souris, Mrs Ava Papatheophilopoulou, Ms Annelie Dempsey
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Description
An International Conference on Greco-African and Afro-Byzantine Studies (i.e. History,
Civilization, Culture, Arts) will take place in October/November 2014 at UJ. With AfroByzantine Studies we understand the study of the African civilizations of which the
development was influenced by Byzantine history and civilization (mainly late ancient and
medieval North Africa, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia). Greco-African Studies refer to the
study and teaching of Greek in Africa, cultural interaction between (Ancient and
Modern) Greece and Africa. By extension Ancient/Medieval Africa itself can be
combined with these themes, and Greek and African civilizations can be opened to
each other. The conference will thus be a vehicle giving the occasion to its
participants to relate and work together in order to further determine, assess,
appreciate and promote high quality research on selected aspects of ‘Old’ African
history and civilization in conjunction with Greece, mainly Byzantium.
The Conference will greatly contribute to a better assessment, comprehension and
appreciation of the great African Civilization of the past. Consequently, it will
present an occasion to exchange views on our knowledge of its ideological, political,
institutional, artistic and religious aspects. It will also pay attention to the evolution
of Greek and African arts.
Peer-reviewed Proceedings will be published. We are already negotiating with
publishers.
PROGRAMME AND THEMES
Except indicated otherwise, all Sessions will take place at the University of
Johannesburg (Kingsway Campus), Lecture Room C203 (‘Krugersdorp Room’)
*Monday 27 October
Opening session
14.30 Registration
15.00 Official Opening:
* Addresses and Greetings:
* Prof. Hendrickx, Chair of the Conference
* The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities
*Archbishop Damaskinos (Greek Orthodox Church)
*Bishop Antonios Markos (Coptic Orthodox Church)
* Diplomats/Other distinguished guests
* Opening Lecture:
16.00 Prof. Vassilis Christides: “The Red Sea, a turbulent sea between Africa and Asia in the
6th c. AD”.
16.45 Discussion
17.00 Cocktail
*Tuesday 28 October
9.30 – 12.30 Session: Ancient Civilizations in Africa
Chair: Prof. W.J. Henderson
Elizabeth Mary Brophy: Greek Kings as Egyptian Gods: Ptolemaic Cult Statues in
Egyptian Temples
Louise Cilliers: The rise and the fall of the cities of Roman Africa
Meg Moodie: The prominence of Numidia during the Hellenistic Period
Coffee break
Luca Di Campobianco: Gazing at the tabula ‘Banasitana’: an example of metaphorical
code?
Jock Matthew Agai: The journeys of the dead: a comparative study of the ancient Egyptian
and the Yoruba conceptualization of the human body
12.45 – 13.45 Lunch Break
14.00 – 17.30 Session: Greek and African Philosophy and Theology
Chair: Prof. J. Wolmarans
Morakinyo Olusegun : African Philosophy and Greek Philosophy: Beyond the 'Black
Athena' debate
Olasope Olakundi : Fracturing the Insularity of the Global State: War and Conflict in
Moira Buffini's ' ‘Welcome to Thebes’
Coffee break
Christo Lombaard: Mysticism in/ and the Old Testament: methodological orientation and
textual examples
Chris De Wet: John Chrysostom on the treatment of Household Slaves
Angelos Nicolaides : The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and of All Africa – a
historical review
H.G. Bishop Antonios Markos : The Impact of African Christianity on World Christianity
*Wednesday 29 0ctober
9.00 – 11.30 Session: Byzantium and Africa
Chair: Prof. B. Hendrickx
Kizobo O’Bweng-Okwess: The historical parallelism between the Emperor Constantine I
and the King Kongo Afonso I, alias “Constantinus Novus”
Savvas Kyriakidis: The Letter of the Mamluk Sultan al Nasir to John VI Kantakouzenos
Thekla Sansaridou-Hendrickx: Miqdad and Mayasa: a Swahili Epic Romance with
reference to the East-Mediterranean Byzantine-Islamic common cultural pool?
Selamawit Mecca: Representations in Ge’ez Texts about Ethiopian Women:
The Early Modern Genre of Female Saints’ Gädl and the Modern Biography of Bafna
11.30- 17.00 Visit to Soweto:
11.30 Bus leaves UJ for Soweto
12.30 Visit to Jabavu Primary School : The Principal, Dr Lindiwe Motsei, will
welcome.
Mrs Ava Papatheophilou (Head of Greek): Teaching Greek for the previously
disadvantaged communities: problems and solutions.
Programme by African Children: African and Greek songs and dances
African Lunch
Discussion time
Visit to Regina Mundi church
*Thursday 30 October
9.30 – 12.30 Session: Byzantium, Ethiopia and Nubia
Chair: Prof. V. Christides
Efi Zacharopoulou: The emergence of the state of Nobatia and the Roman Empire
Vicky Savvidou: The problems of the increasing bibliography, mainly archaeological, for the
study of the countries around the Red Sea in Late Antiquity
Ben Hendrickx: The project and problems for the establishment of a catalogue of Royal
Medieval Nubian Rulers
Alexandros Tsakos: Literary manuscripts from Christian Nubia: the state of the research
Mohamed Adam Abdalrahman Hamid: Medieval Sudan in Greek, Arab and Nubian
sources
13.00- 14.00 Lunch Break
14.00 -17.30 Session: Afro-Byzantine and African Art
Chair: Ms Annali Dempsey
Raita Steyn: Afro-Byzantine Emperors and Kings as Protecting Saints and their Authority
Symbols
Amel Suliman Badi: The Greek Cultural Influence in Meroitic Art
Jonas Nkadimeng: South African Rural Art within the spiritual Realm
Arthur and Mpho Molepo
Tanya Mungulwa: Limpopo Art and artefacts
Nubian Exhibition presented by A. Tsakos
Visit to Robert Hamblin Exhibition at UJ Art Gallery, introduced by Annali Dempsey
*Friday 31 October
9.30 – 13.30 : Session: Modern Greek and Greeks in Africa
Chair:
Antonios Chaldaios: The Greek community of Tunis (XVI-XVIII): Aspects of its formation
and commercial enterprise
Alexandra Fefopoulou: The Role of the Greek Orthodox Religion in the Construction of
Identity among the Greek Community of Lubumbashi, DRC
Evangelos Mantzaris: Greek participation in South African national politics: 1898-1920
Allistair McDuling: What is the future of Greek in South Africa? Language shift and
maintenance in the Greek community of Johannesburg
Katerina Skoupra: The teaching of Modern Greek in South African secondary schools
Th. Leontitsis: Art and Culture. Greek Education in the Diaspora
14.30 Official Lunch
Afternoon: Discussion Group: Common Projects
Conference participants are cordially invited at Vespers in the Patriarchal Greek
Orthodox Church of Agioi Anargyroi (Kosmas and Damianos) at Triomf (Sophia
Town) at 19.00.
The Vespers will be followed by refreshments.
*Saturday 1 November
10.00 Discussion Session: New Research and Publication Projects, with a.o.
reference to the E. Pharos case.
Further during this day, the Conference will move to the Lyceum of Greek
Women (Pouroulion) at the Greek SAHETI School’s premises, where the session
and discussions will be held in the Greek language ONLY
14.30. Minibus starts from UJ to Saheti
15.30 Arrival at Pouroulion and welcome by Mrs Niki Souris, President of the
Lyceum and the Maria Katrakis South African Hellenic Archives
Coffee and thee
16.00 Tour of Archives – Presentation by Niki Souris
17.00- 18.30 Session: Greek Communities in Africa
Chair: Prof. B. Hendrickx
Ch. Bambounis: Επτανήσιοι μετανάστες στη Νότιο Αφρική (19ος – 20oς αι.)
P. Konstantopoulou and M. Dimitriadou: Για την εφημερίδα Κάϊρο (1873 – 1876).
Father George Giannakopoulos: Ο Λόγιος, ιεροδιδάσκαλος Σάββας Παπαδανιήλ και το έργο
του για τον ελληνισμό στη Νότιο Αφρική, Ζιμπάμπουε και Μαλάουι
19.00 Kazantzakis Function:
G. Stassinakis: Ο Ν. Καζαντζáκης και η έλξη της Αφρικής
Marilena Piperidis: On Semantics in Kazantzakis
End of the Conference
Snacks and Coffee

Conference participants who are still in Johannesburg on Sunday 2 November
are cordially invited to attend a service at the Patriarchal Greek Orthodox
Church of Agioi Anargyroi (Kosmas and Damianos) in Triomf, followed by
a Panigyri.
THE CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
Jock Matthew Agai holds a BA in Christian Education (ETS- 1998-2002), an MTH in
Historical Theology (University of Jos/TCNN -2002-2005) and is at present a PHD
Candidate in History of Christianity – UKZN. He lectured at various institutions, published
several articles in local and international journals, and has attended and participated in several
local and international conferences. He is currently affiliated to the School of Religion,
Philosophy and Classics, University of Kwa-Zulu, Natal.
Amel Suliman Badi, Associate Professor at the University of Khartoum. Post-doctoral
training, Humbolt University, Berlin 2003- 2005. Ph.D. in Ancient History, University of
Khartoum, 2002, M.A. in Ancient History, University of Khartoum 1999, B.A. Honours in
History, University of Khartoum. Specialization: Ancient History. She has published on the
status of women in ancient Sudan and on Meroitic civilization in general.
Antonios Markos (His Grace) (Magdy Sobhy Mikail Gerges) studied at the University of
Cairo where he became a medical doctor. He went to work in Ethiopia as a physician before
becoming a monk and he was ordained bishop in 1976. He is very active as a bishop, church
organizer, missionary and educator in Johannesburg, where is the head of the Coptic
Orthodox Church. He also has published many articles and several books in Arabic and
English on the Coptic Church and theology.
Charalambos N. Bambounis is a Modern Greek History Professor and Deputy Chairman in
the Faculty of Education of Athens University. He has worked as a Visiting Professor at the
University of Granada. He has been invited as a guest speaker at among others the Universität
Bonn, the Universität Münster and the University of Louvain. Since 2014 he is Chairman of
the Marasleion College of Education (Didaskalio) of Athens University. He has published 14
books and ca. 150 scientific publications, mainly referring to the history of 19th and 20th
centuries.
Elizabeth Brophy graduated with a doctorate from Keble College, University of Oxford in
August 2014, with a thesis entitled “Royal Sculpture in Egypt 300 BC – AD 220: Context
and Function”. Her most recent publication is in Current Research in Egyptology. She has
taught at the University of Oxford, as well as taking part in outreach teaching programmes.
Antonis Chaldaios is a PhD candidate at the Department of Greek and Latin Studies in the
University of Johannesburg. He holds a M.A. in Social Anthropology and History. His
research interests focus on the study of the Hellenic Diaspora in North and Eastern Africa. He
is the author of the monographs a) O ellinismos tou Marokou. I elliniki paroikia 1904-2012
and b)I elliniki paroikia tis Tynisias, 16th-21st century.
Vassilis Christides was awarded his PhD in “Near Eastern Studies” by Princeton University
(1970). He was a Junior Fellow at Harvard (1967-1970), taught at Columbia University
(1971-1977), Thessaloniki University (1978-1982) and Ioannina University (1989-1998). He
received the Fulbright grant (1980 and 1996) for research at the Institute for Advanced Study
(Princeton) and the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship (2002 and 2003) for research at
Oklahoma University. He is currently Research Associate at UNISA and director of the
Institute for Graeco-Oriental and African Studies (Greece). He has served as a Visiting
Professor in several universities of the Near East, USA and Europe. Particular interests:
navigation, about which he has organized several exhibitions. He is the chief editor
of Graeco-Arabica and author of numerous articles and four books.
Louise Cilliers (D. Litt. et Phil., Leiden University) was for many years professor and head
of the Dept. of Latin and then of Classical Languages at the University of the Free State in
Bloemfontein, and is at present an honorary research fellow of that university. She was for
many years the editor of the national journal Acta Classica. Her main research interest is the
texts of the 4th/5th century AD North African medical writers, on which she has published
various articles and a critical edition with translation and commentary of Vindicianus’
Gynaecia.
Chris De Wet is Associate Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Studies at the
Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies, UNISA. He completed his doctoral degree in
Ancient Greek in 2013 at the University of Pretoria, and his forthcoming book,
entitled Preaching Bondage: John Chrysostom and the Discourse of Slavery in Early
Christianity, published by the University of California Press at Berkeley, is scheduled to
appear in mid-2015. He is also the editor of the Journal of Early Christian History. He is a
specialist on the works of John Chrysostom, ancient slavery, and late ancient studies,
especially in applying the critical theories of Michel Foucault, Michel de Certeau, and Pierre
Bourdieu to late ancient and Roman studies.
Luca di Campobianco got his first degrees from the University of Bologna and a joint PhD
in Ancient History from the Universities of Columbia (USA) and Bologna (Italy). He then
became a researcher at Bologna and in 2013 he moved to Johannesburg where he became a
post-doctoral research fellow at UJ. He specializes in Roman history.
Annalie Dempsey, Arts Curator at the University of Johannesburg (January 1997 – Present).
Resposible for management and administration of UJ Art Collection , conseptualization and
presentation of temporary art exhibitions by established and emerging contemporary artists
and hosting of educational events pertaining to art exhibitions as well as marketing of all UJ
Art Gallery activities. She is also a self employed artist and free-lance writer.
Margaret Dimitriadou has graduated from the Commercial College of Athens “St. George”.
She has a Certificate from the Greek Open University in “Studies in Greek Culture” and a
Diploma of Postgraduate Study (National University of Athens), with specialization in
History and Teaching of History, Folklore and Culture.
She now continues her
postgraduate studies at the Greek Open University, with specialization in “Orthodox
Theology”.
Alexandra Fefopoulou is a PhD student at the Department of Greek and Latin Studies of the
University of Johannesburg. Previous studies: MA in Social and Historical Anthropology
(University of the Aegean), Degree in Philosophy and Social Studies (University of Crete).
Academic Interests: Diaspora, Identity, History of the Greek presence in Africa.
George Giannakopoulos (Rev. Father) took his Teacher’s degree from the Pedagogical
Academy in Athens (1983), a diploma in Byzantine Music from the Odeion (Piraia, 2002),
BA Hons (Greek) from UJ in 2010, and BA Hons from the University of Athens (2014). He
became an Orthodox priest in 2003.He does research on the Greek Community of
Johannesburg..
William J. Henderson, classicist – philologist, BA, BA Hons, MA and D. Litt.
(Stellenbosch), emeritus professor, UJ. Main research : Greek and Latin lyric poetry. Rated as
an ‘established researcher’ by the NRF and author of numerous monographies and articles.
Ben Hendrickx, Research Professor at UJ. He got his first degrees (Ancient History;
Byzantine History and Civilization; Aggregation of Philosophy) from the University of
Leuven, and his Ph.D. from Thessaloniki. Specialization: Byzantium and Afro-Byzantina
(history, institutions, documents). He has received several international awards for his
research, for which he was also knighted by the Belgian King. He has ca. 400 publications,
among which 12 books. He is one of the editors of the Encyclopedic Prosopographic Lexicon
of Byzantine History and Culture (Turnhout, Brepols, Belgium) and serves as editor or on
editorial boards of several periodicals in RSA, Greece, France and Australia. He has been
rated ‘an internationally acclaimed researcher’ by the National Research Foundation (NRF)
of South Africa.
Kizobo O’bweng-Okwess is a well-known Professor at the University of Lubumbashi
(RDC). He holds a doctorate from the University of Athens on ‘Africans in Byzantium’. He
has published an important number of books on African history and the Congo as well as
many articles on African politics and history, Byzantine history and Greek communities in
Africa. He is also a Board member of several scientific periodicals
Savvas Kyriakidis is a Post-doctoral Fellow (Byzantine Studies) at UJ. He first studied at the
Democritus University of Thrace (Greece), and obtained his MA and PhD from the
University of Birmingham. He published a book on Byzantine Warfare and several articles.
He now works on a Late Byzantine project of warfare and mercenaries.
Panayiota G. Konstantopoulou has graduated from the Faculty of History-Archaeology of
the University of Athens and has obtained a Master’s degree in History and Teaching History
(Athens University) and a PhD in History of Education from the University of Patras-Greece.
She has worked as a Professor at Marasleio Teaching Centre (2007-2010), as well as at the
post-graduate department of the University of Granada. She has participated in international
and Panhellenic conferences and has published several monographs and articles.
Th. Leontitsis is the acting Educational Attaché at the Consulate General of Greece in
Johannesburg and is responsible for the Greek schools in the whole of Africa, Egypt and
Libya excepted. He received his Degree in Pedagogy from the Academy of Athens, a higher
teaching diploma from Marasleio, and he holds an MA from London University, with as
theme ‘Art and Design in Education’.
Christo Lombaard is professor of Christian Spirituality at the University of South Africa, in
Pretoria; his research specialism is Biblical Spirituality. He holds doctorates in Religious
Communications (North-West University, Potchefstroom) and Old Testament Studies
(University of Pretoria). His most accessible publication is The Old Testament and Christian
Spirituality (Atlanta, Georgia: Society of Biblical Literature, 2012), which was awarded
the 2013 Krister Stendahl medal for Bible scholarship by the Graduate Theological
Federation, USA.
Evangelos A. Mantzaris (Prof.) is a Senior Researcher at the Anti-Corruption Center for
Education and Research if Stellenbosch University (ACCERUS).
He holds a PhD (Sociology) from the University of Cape Town, has published 7 full scale
books, 19 chapters in books, 64 refereed journal articles, has participated in 55 national and
international conferences and has presented lecture series at Oxford, Yale, Lehman College
(New York), Panteios and the University of Athens in Greece.
Allistair McDuling studied at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he obtained
a HDE, BA Hons and MA (Linguistics). He received his PhD (Sociolinguistics) from
UNISA. He has been teaching at school level and also at the Wits Language School.
Arthur Molepo is a well-known South African actor, director and sculptor. He is best
known for his performances in soap operas at SABC1 and eTV, and feature films as well as
for his stage and musical acting at the Junction Avenue Theatre Company, the Market
Theatre and other venues. He is now producing a play on the plight of albinos in South
Africa. He is the father of the also well known Mpho Molepo.
Meg Moodie has a BA Language and Culture from Stellenbosch University (2008 - 2010),
an MPhil in Ancient Cultures from Stellenbosch University (2011 - 2012) and a MSc in
Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh (2013/2014).
Tanya Mungulwa has studied in Venda. As a Lemba she soon became involved in the
cultural activities of her people. She lead several art and artifacts programmes, involving
local training especially in the Limpopo region and has received several national grants for
completing her work.
Mohamed Adam Abdalrahman Hamid, Ass. Professor in the University of Khartoum.
Specialist in medieval Sudanese History and Culture.
Olusegun Morakinyo is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the department of Philosophy,
University of Johannesburg. He has a B.A (honours) Philosophy, OAU, Nigeria, MSc.
Equality studies, UCD, Ireland, and PhD History, UWC, South Africa. His research focuses
on notions of Africa in philosophy and the history of African philosophy.
Lindiwe Motsei is the Principal of Jabavu East Primary School in Soweto. She is holding a
BSc Hon. degree in Curriculum Design from UNISA, a Master’s degree in Curriculum
Design from RAU as well as a PhD degree in Sciences from Pretoria University.
Olasope Olakunde (Nigeria)
Angelos Nicolaides (Rev.), Professor at UNISA (Corporate Governance, Business Ethics,
Stakeholder Management). Qualifications: D Com (Business Management),D Phil
(History),DTh (Pastoral Theology). Prior to joining SBL, he was employed at UJ as well as
at Vaal University of Technology. He is a member of the International Institute for Public
Ethics, the Ethics Institute of South Africa, the Institute of Management Scientists, a Senior
Member of SAQI and a member of the SABPP (Master HR Practitioner-Education and
Training) and consults with both SMMEs and Corporations. He serves on the editorial boards
of a number of international journals. He publishes widely and was the Highly Commended
Winner at the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2007.
Jonas Nkadimeng studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained a BA Hons in
Visual Art and at Limpopo College, where he obtained an Education Diploma.
Education
Specialist
Tshwane South district C.
He is Senior
(FET-Arts),
Ava (Barbara) Papatheophilou is a cultural activist and educationist. Educated in Greece,
she holds a degree in theatrical studies and acting. In 1993 she qualified as a Practitioner of
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). In 1994 she designed for her Master Practitioner of NLP
qualification, the community based educational programme “Friends of Cultural Interactions
Project” (F.C.I.P), aiming at the welfare and the holistic development of African children and the
intercultural relations and co-operation between Greeks and S. Africans. She is a founder of the
“Greek South African Cultural interactions Association” (GSACIA), the Educational Institute
“Cultural Interactions Project” (CIP) and the S. African Society for Greek Philosophy and the
Humanities (SASGPH). From 1985 to 1993 she worked as a teacher of the Greek language at
Hellenic Community schools and from 1994 as a teacher of Greek language and civilization in
order to promote the ideals of Hellenism in the previously disadvantaged communities.
Marilena Piperidis is lecturer at UJ and responsible for Modern Greek teaching at this
University. Aftrer having received her BA from the University of the Witwatersrand, she
obtained an MA from RAU and is now preparing her PhD on Kazantzakis at UJ. She
specializes in Modern Greek literature and is also active in Greek Community programmes.
Selamawit Mecca is Assist. Professor and Acting Head of the Department of Amharic
Language, Literature and Folklore at Addis Ababa University and a research-fellow in the
Department of Greek and Latin Studies at UJ. She studied literature, languages and Amharic
at Addis Abeba and received awards from the French Centre for Ethiopian studies and the
School of Oriental and African Studies (London University). She is finalizing her doctorate
on Ehtiopian hagiography and the representations of Ethiopian women saints in the medieval
period. Currently she is also doing research on the narratives of royal women in early modern
Ethiopia. She has published nationally and internationally on Ethiopian women saints and
has been acclaimed as a specialist in the field.
Thekla Sansaridou-Hendrickx is Associate Professor in Greek Studies at UJ. She obtained
her BA, BA Hons and Ph.D from the Rand Afrikaans University and her MA from the
University of the Freestate. She published several books and ca. 100 articles in national and
international periodicals. She specializes in Byzantine chronicles and ethnicity. She co-edits
the Encyclopedic Prosopographic Lexicon of Byzantine History and Culture (Turnhout,
Brepols, Belgium) and she has been the co-editor of Ekklesiastikos Pharos (African series).
She is rated as an established researcher by the National Research Foundation of South
Africa.
Evridiki (Vicky) Savvidou Christidou received her Master’s degree in Education from
Columbia University (USA) in 1976. She specialized in the field of English as a Second
Language and she has taught English in several schools in the USA and in Greece. As the
secretary of the Institute for Graeco-Oriental and African Studies (IGOAS, Athens), she has
undertaken the international correspondence of the Institute and has been the technical
advisor of most of its publications.
Katerina Skoupra obtained a BA (English) from the University of Thessaloniki and an MA
(Greek) from UJ, where she examined the problems related to the teaching of Modern Greek
in South African secondary schools. She has worked as a teacher for the Military Department
of Education, Thessaloniki, Greece and for Greek public schools and institutions (19952009). Currently she is teaching Greek at the SAHETI school in Johannesburg, where she is
seconded by the Greek Ministry of Education..
Georges Stassinakis is the founder and president of the Société internationale des Amis de
Nikos Kazantzaki (Genève). He studied at the University of Bordeaux (Droit & Sciences
Politiques). He was a lecturer at the Faculty of Law in Genève and then a juridical councilor at
the C.E.R.N. (Organisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire). He is the editor of « LE
REGARD CRETOIS» and has given seminars and lectures in 65 countries, mostly on
Kazantzakis. He has the title of ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite’.
Niki Souris (Mrs) is the President of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women in South Africa and
is also in charge of the South African Maria Katrakis Hellenic Archives of Southern Africa.
Raita Steyn obtained her BA, BA Hons and MA from RAU, and recently her Ph.D. on AfroByzantine (Coptic, Nubian, Ethiopian) iconography, symbols and political theory from UJ.
She is lecturing Art at Abott College and has published a book and several articles. She is
also chief provincial marker for design (Gauteng) and national external moderator for design
(RSA).
Alexandros Tsakos has studied in Greece and Belgium. He holds a Ph.D. from Humboldt
University (Germany) on Greek manuscripts from medieval Sudan. He has worked as an
archaeologist in Sudan and Greece. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University
of Bergen (Norway) with the project ‘Religious Literacy of Christian Nubia’. He has
published an important number of studies on Nubian archaeology.
J.L.P. (Hansie) Wolmarans is professor and Head of Department of Greek and Latin
Studies (UJ). Philologist – theologian – linguist, BA (RAU), MA and BD (Pretoria
University), PhD (Potchefstroom). He specializes in mythology, linguistics and NT Greek
and has written an important number of national and international publications.
Zacharopoulou Effrosyni was born in Greece. She has a degree in Ancient and Modern
Greek Philology from the University of Athens. She received her Master’s degree in Greek
from the University of Johannesburg with a dissertation, entitled The East Roman Christian
Empire and the Kingdom of Axum. Political, Economic and Military Relations and Influences
(ca 324 – 565 A.D.). She holds a Ph.D from UJ on Byzantine- Nubian relations. She has
worked as a teacher in High Schools in Greece, Sudan, Libya, Ethiopia and the DRC and as a
lecturer at UJ where she is currently a post-doctoral researcher. She mainly publishes on
Nubia and Ethiopia.