The University of Cape Town
invites you to an Inaugural Lecture
by Professor Jennifer Whittal
Topic: Beyond Boundaries
Most people are fascinated by maps. Whether digital or analogue, maps are abstractions of reality, projected, selective, and simplified by the intent of the mapmaker and their client. Far from being neutral representations, maps are cartographic metaphors that reflect the values, assumptions, and priorities of their time.
We also map the world conceptually, creating mental models to make sense of complex systems such as law, technology, and land administration. These models draw boundaries-intellectual and practical-that help us navigate complexity but can also obscure the richness and plurality of real-world systems. In understanding and then reforming such systems, local is lekker - geographical and social context matters. In this Beyond Boundaries lecture, Jennifer reflects on the early Dutch land grants at the Cape, which created both literal and social boundaries that still shape the landscape today. Drawing on her experiences in navigating the boundaries of practice and research, professional capacity building across Africa, and current explorations in pluralism, she invites us to reconsider how boundaries - both literal and metaphorical-are formed, challenged, and reimagined.
Date: Tuesday, 3 June 2025
Time: 17:15 SAST
About our speaker
Jennifer Whittal joined UCT as a bachelors and then masters student of surveying. After working for the City of Cape Town for some years, she joined UCT as a senior lecturer, obtaining a doctorate from the University of Calgary in the field of cadastral systems reform. She lectures advanced surveying and land law. Jennifer is a Professional Land Surveyor and active in national and international surveying and geomatics organisations. Her research interests are pro-poor, resilient and sustainable land tenure and cadastral systems, historical landholding, and cadastral issues in the coastal zone. Jennifer has co-authored a book with Professor Roger Fisher on cadastral principles and practice providing useful insights to professional practitioners, property owners and others.