At the start of the academic year 2022-2023, Redmar Leeuwendal, Jasper Krijns, and Michelle van Grol, all BA African Studies students at Leiden University, decided to form an English speaking study association for the study of Africa. Such a study association did not yet exist on mainland Europe, and the BA/MA/ResMA African Studies at Leiden University, as well as the proximity of the African Studies Centre, provided an excellent atmosphere for the development of a community for Dutch and international students studying Africa. In the beginning period, Marianne was also part of the board, who used her experience in past board years to make this project take off. With support from the African Studies programs, as well as the African Studies Centre, we decided to make this dream come true.

Setting up a study association was harder than anticipated. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, we were able to register the association at a notary in Haarlem, on the 17th of March 2023. After months of hard work, we started accepting members on the 17th of May 2023.