The Indian Ocean journey of Rwandan coffee to Johannesburg

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to understand the way in which the Indian Ocean is seen to be a key influencer within African trade, and most importantly African coffee trade. The Indian Ocean has long been viewed as a contributor within global trade, but it is through this ethnography that I specifically showcase the impact it has within the continent. This ethnography highlights key routes which are taken for coffee which is produced in East Africa, how it leaves a landlocked country and passes through borders to a port city on the Eastern littoral, its life at the port city until it enters South Africa. It further explores various ways to understand the complex nature of the containerisation of a commodity and how African trade is able to be looked at not only via trade across or through the continent but through the Indian Ocean. This paper therefore aims to create a new narrative of the Indian Ocean.