However, this was subsequently changed to the African Cultural Renaissance Movement (A.C.R.M). At the time of its formation, the world was experiencing a wave of social and racial black consciousness where the focus was ‘Black Power’. At the University of Technology (formerly College of Arts, Science and Technology) the students gradually became awakened from the slumber of social and racial apath
y. This sparked lengthy discussions concerning racial issues and the continual exploitation of our natural and human resources by imperialism and the local bourgeois – one common sentiment shared was the inequality in the society. The ideal then was to form a group that would organize the study of African history and attempt to understand what the roots of black people’s oppression was. It was then decided that cultural programs be organized so that black people could enjoy the benefits of their creative energies, since they could not afford the popular theatrical presentations which were often seen as distortions of their black cultural heritage. The objectives were broad and general, the demands were few and vague but they remained unconditional. Today however, a slant has been incorporated and a further step of providing education to the wider community has been embarked upon and along with it, the theme “Empowerment Through Education for a Better Tomorrow”.
