Discovering Australia’s Black Convicts with Santilla Chingaipe

Next date: Tuesday, 03 June 2025 | 06:30 PM to 07:30 PM

Join award-winning historian, filmmaker, and author Santilla Chingaipe for a powerful and eye-opening session that sheds light on a little-known chapter of Australia’s past.

Drawing from her acclaimed book Black Convicts, Santilla will uncover the hidden stories of African-descended men and women who were transported to Australia as convicts and explore how their lives—and legacies—shaped the nation’s early history.

From the daring exploits of bushranger John Caesar to the political resistance of South African chief David Stuurman, these remarkable individuals challenge conventional narratives of Australia’s colonial beginnings.

Santilla will delve into the global forces of empire, race, and slavery that influenced their journeys, revealing how Australia’s formation was deeply connected to broader histories of dispossession and exploitation.

Book now