Mapaya, Madimabe Geoff2017-03-092017-03-092016Mapaya, M. G. (2016). The fourth and fifth generations of African scholars: a South African case study. Acta Academica, 48(2), 76-90.0587-2405 (print)2415-0479 (online)http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/24150479/aa48i2.3http://hdl.handle.net/11660/5760In the so-called African millennium, it is perhaps excusable to pretend that African scholarship has come of age. Almost 20 years after the seminal article by Professor Thandika Mkandawire, which proffered a generational profile of the African scholar, it is perhaps opportune now to revisit the subject. Following on this historical masterpiece, the present article seeks to present a critique of what has become the hallmark of African scholarship albeit from a narrow South African perspective. It does so by taking into account some of the factors (good or bad) responsible for the status quo. A random sample of academic articles, including interviews with a number of African scholars, was used to formulate the argument in this article. A critique of the human capital in selected South African universities was also essential in completing a picture of academic progress or lack thereof. While not undermining the milestones reached, a kind of introspective reflection on the state of African scholarship can only aid the advancement of African knowledge enterprise; hence this instalment.enAfrican scholarshipBrain drainAcademic mentoringAcademic equityAfrican scholarsArticleUniversity of the Free State