“Black Magic” Practices in African Academies: A 21st Century Socio-Legal Perspective

Abstract

Chronic levels of narcissism, animosity, envy, and a fixation with toppling individuals who are thought to be making solid academic progress have grown common in African academies. Anti-progress proponents, whose egocentric behaviour and/or tendencies are linked to “black magic” tactics, no longer regard academic competence/excellence. These African academic “black magicians” place a greater emphasis on individuals than on academic matters, spend more time hopping from one office to the next for no apparent reason, and thrive on institutional politicking. They regard hardworking colleagues as threats or “academic fetishes” who must be “exorcised” from African academies to keep incompetent/sloppy individuals who represent no threat to their positions or minor interests and whom they can manipulate. Based on an examination of legislation limiting black magic in South Africa and Zimbabwe, the article contends that intellectual jealousy, narcissistic behaviour, and other associated evil conduct emanating out of envy in African academies should be categorised as black magic or witchcraft.

Keywords

• african academies
• black magic
• academic narcists
• corridor merchants
• legal anthropology