ASSIGNMENT 3 2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 10 AUGUST 2026
, South African History of Education - HED4805
Question 1
1. Definition of colonialism
Colonialism refers to a system in which a foreign country takes control over another
territory, exploiting its resources, people and institutions for its own benefit. It involves
political domination, economic exploitation and cultural imposition by the colonising
power over the colonised society.
2. Explanation of coloniality by Maldonado-Torres
Maldonado-Torres explains coloniality as the continuation of colonial patterns of power
even after the end of formal colonial rule. It refers to the lasting impact of colonialism on
culture, knowledge systems, social structures and ways of thinking.
3. Difference between colonialism and coloniality
Colonialism and coloniality are related but distinct concepts. Colonialism refers to the
direct political and economic control of one country over another. It involves physical
occupation and governance by a foreign power.
Coloniality, on the other hand, refers to the long-lasting effects of colonialism that
persist even after independence. These include the dominance of Western knowledge
systems, cultural beliefs, social inequalities and economic dependency.
In essence, colonialism is the historical process of domination, while coloniality is the
enduring legacy of that domination in modern societies.