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01 June 2018 Photo Mamosa Makaya
Dialogue on LGBTIQ rights in the legal profession reveals slow progress
Justice Edwin Cameron, Sivuyile Mphatheni and Maralize Conradie
The Black Lawyers Association, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS), held a public dialogue on the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community in the legal profession on 25 May, on the Bloemfontein Campus. On the panel were prominent activists for LGBTIQ+ rights, Justice Edwin Cameron, Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa; Maralize Conradie, UFS lecturer in Mercantile Law; and Sivuyile Mphatheni, a Law student and member of the Black Lawyers Association.

Liberal but not yet free
The Constitution of South Africa is considered to be one of the most liberal and inclusive in Africa and the world by protecting the rights of same-sex partnerships pertaining to family rights; marriage and adoption. Yet despite these provisions LGBTIQ+ legal professionals still experience discrimination in the workplace. “The LGBTIQ+ community should be regarded as a demonstration of the complexity of human nature, rather than a minority group,” said Conradie. She said the shift in mind-set could allow for more open dialogue, sharing of knowledge, building of trust, and upholding the rights of minority people. Speaking on behalf of law students, Sivuyile Mphatheni said that despite the many victories, there was still a long way to go to achieving full equality for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Discrimination still holding back society
Speaking to students from all walks of life, Justice Cameron gave a breakdown of various forms of discrimination and the effects they have on the human pysche. Actions such as racism, sexism, sexual harassment, the stigma of people living with HIV/Aids, and the upholding patriarchy in society all infringe on the rights of others, causing a society that is fraught with fear, hate and pain.
  
“South Africa is one of the most progressive countries in Africa regarding human rights, including freedom of speech,” said Justice Cameron. He added that unlike in some African countries where same-sex relationships are still criminalised, the youth of South Africa have a voice. He therefore encouraged students to use it to become change agents, and to eradicate discrimination of all forms.

The Black Lawyers Association, as thought leaders, held the event as a call to action to the entire UFS community to begin to sensitise those around them to the plight of the LGBTIQ+ in the law profession and in society as a whole.

News Archive

Dr Khotso Mokhele joins ranks of distinguished Chancellors
2010-11-21

Attending the inauguration ceremony are, from the left: Mr Pule Makgoe, MEC for Education in the Free State and member of the UFS Council; Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council; Dr Khotso Mokhele, newly inaugurated Chancellor of the UFS; and Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Dries Myburgh

Dr Khotso Mokhele joined the ranks of distinguished Chancellors of the University of the Free State (UFS) with his inauguration as the new Chancellor of the institution at a ceremony on Friday, 19 November 2010.

The lustrous ceremony took place on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein and was attended by hundreds of guests from all over South Africa.

Dr Mokhele said in his speech: “I am excited to have been invited by the UFS to join its community at the time when it is attempting to reinvent itself into an institution that will be counted amongst those that will shape the local, regional, national will, and by so doing, contribute to the shaping of an African will.”

Dr Mokhele follows in the footsteps of Dr Franklin Sonn, former Ambassador of South Africa in the United States of America and receiver of many awards, acknowledgements, and honorary doctorates, who retired earlier this year. Dr Sonn was preceded by Ms Winkie Direko, former premier of the Free State.

His acceptance of the role of Chancellor is a great honour for the UFS.

According to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, it is a proud moment to welcome someone from the Province as the Chancellor of this university. With his strong academic values and deep sense of human compassion, Dr Mokhele is one of but a few uncompromising leaders. He is also an inspiring, determined pioneer and a role model to all our students.

Few have done as much to guide the development of science in South Africa since democracy in 1994 as Dr Mokhele. His vision and actions as a senior science manager have been guided by his deep conviction that for a truly democratic society to emerge in South Africa all people must be empowered to be its architects and must have unhindered access to those careers upon which our economy is built.

Dr Khotso Mokhele was born and raised in Bloemfontein. After matriculating from the Moroka High School he went on to study at Fort Hare, where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Agriculture, winning the Massey-Ferguson award for the best student in that field. As a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright-Hays Scholarship, he entered the University of California in Davis where he took a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. degree, both in Microbiology. He was awarded post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dr Mokhele returned to South Africa in 1987, set on becoming a top-class academic and researcher. He held lecturing posts at the Universities of Fort Hare (1987-1989) and Cape Town (1990-1992). In 1992 he joined the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) as one of its Vice-Presidents. He succeeded to its presidency in 1996 and then from 1999 to 2006 became the first President of the National Research Foundation (NRF).  He successfully merged the FRD and the Centre for Science Development of the Human Sciences Research Council. Under his visionary leadership the NRF has come to play a pivotal role in the development agenda of the country. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the South African Academy of Sciences serving as its founder president (1996-1998).

Dr Khotso Mokhele's contribution to science in South Africa has received wide recognition locally and abroad. He has received nine honorary doctorates. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the President of France in recognition of his personal efforts in strengthening scientific ties between France and South Africa, and was appointed a director of the Salzburg Seminar, an institution focused on global change, and subsequently a member of its Council of Senior Fellows.

He also serves on the boards of major companies such as Implats, Adcock Ingram and Afrox.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za19 November 2010
 

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