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19 March 2018 Photo Rulanzen Martin
Prof Solomon writes book on human security in Africa
Prof Hendri Kroukamp, Acting Vice-Rector: Academic; Prof Hussein Solomon; and Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, at the book launch.

An acclaimed academic regarding security issues on the African continent, Prof Hussein Solomon, recently launched the book African Security in the twenty-first Century.

The book, which was launched on 13 March 2018 at the Archive for Contemporary Affairs on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), took three years to complete and has 11 chapters and 300 pages.

“It has been difficult, some of the chapters did not appear, but will be released as journal articles,” Prof Solomon said.

Focus more on human than state security
“This particular book project had its origins four years ago at the African Studies Association conference, which was held in San Diego,” Prof Solomon said. 

This is where he met Stephen Emmerson, co-author of the book. “We attempted to make the book as comprehensive as possible, covering all the major sources of insecurity on the African continent – from resource conflict to conflicting identities to drug-trafficking and terrorism,” he said.

The approach of this book was to focus on human security, which is the security of ordinary Africans, in contrast to that of the state and/or regime security. 

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Leadership and responsible citizenship: key themes at the Global Leadership Summit
2015-07-09

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Leadership and responsible citizenship have been the main topics of discussion at the Global Leadership Summit which started on 5 July at the UFS Campus in Bloemfontein, and will continue until 17 July. More than 103 international delegates from various universities in Asia, the United States, and Europe, as well as 40 student delegates from the University of the Free State, are attending.

Kick-starting the summit talks was Prof Joel Samoff (Stanford University) who led discussions on transformation in institutions around the world. “Transformation is a constantly-changing interaction.  It is not a single objective, but a process, “ he said. This was followed by a robust panel discussion with student leaders of the UFS and those from James Madison University, Mount Holyoke College, and Rutgers University, who described the journey of transformation at their various universities.  “Young people are leading themselves in a different way, the context of the society we live in has changed,” said a UFS Student.

Keynote speaker, Zelda la Grange, gave an account of her experiences and the colourful journey of discovery of a “different” South Africa, working with President Nelson Mandela for 19 years, a journey that is the subject of  her book, “Good Morning Mr Mandela “. Under the theme “Breathing the same air: A metaphor for human solidarity, Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Senior Research Professor in Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Studies led a talk with Candice Mama, the daughter of slain anti-apartheid activist, Gelnack Masilo Mama, one of the victims of the former hit squad commander, Eugene de Kok. Candice inspired the audience with her philosophy on life and letting go of trauma: “Forgiveness is a process, and one needs to forgive to be able to be liberated from anger and bitterness,” she said.

Dr Lis Lange, Vice Rector: Academic, UFS spoke of citizenship and freedom, focusing on the responsibility that humans have to create ethical, positive, and meaningful interaction in their daily lives and in their societies across the globe.

As part of the programme, delegates will visit the Qwaqwa Campus on 10 July 2015, where they will interact with the leadership of the campus, its staff, and students, and enjoy an arts and cultural experience of the Eastern Free State.  The summit will end with a visit to various sites in Bloemfontein, where delegates will engage in community-based outreach activities in disadvantaged communities around the city. 

UFS to host second Global Leadership Summit

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