Peter Alegi - Author of Book on Soccer in Africa
Fulbright Scholar to South Africa
Field: History
Home Institution: Michigan State University
Host Institution: University of KwaZulu Natal
Grant Dates: January-December 2010
Dr. Peter Alegi with friends and colleagues in Durban, South Africa
U.S. Fulbright Scholar Dr. Peter Alegi, based at the University of KwaZulu Natal, launched his eagerly-awaited book African Soccerscapes: How a Continent Changed the World’s Game at Durban’s KwaMuhle Museum. Academics, local political leaders and members of the community listened to Dr. Alegi as he explained the important role soccer played in bringing about political change in South Africa and the African continent.
Dr. Alegi also presented the Alan Paton Memorial Lecture in Pietermaritzburg that was later featured as a full page op-ed in The Mercury Newspaper. Dr. Alegi worked with the Durban Municipal Cultural History Museums on an exhibit that explored the history of soccer in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, especially the racially integrated soccer leagues that existed in Durban in the 1960s.
With the Soccer World Cup in June 2010 while he was in South Africa, Dr. Alegi served as an important reference to both local and international media as they sought his opinion and expertise in the sport. Dr. Alegi's presence in South Africa as a Fulbright scholar highlighted the shared interests and experiences of Americans and South Africans in sport, underscored U.S. support of South Africa during the World Cup, and set the stage for further academic and government institutional partnerships in KwaZulu Natal.
Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ-FM) interviewed Dr. Alegi about football in South Africa in advance of the World Cup. Listen to the interview on the Chicago Public Radio website. Dr. Alegi was also interviewed by National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
To the U.S.-South Africa Fulbright Program