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International and UFS scholars convene in pursuit of social justice

05 December 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Stephen Collett

Justice read more — Social justice is the promotion of just societies and treatment of individuals and communities based on the belief that we each possess an innate human dignity.

The power of research lies in the possibility to move from theory to practical outcomes that can change society for the better in some way. In essence, scholars have the ability to create the future in collaboration with government and civil society. At a recent international colloquium hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) programme, researchers deliberated on social justice issues and possible resolutions.

Delegates from institutions across the UK, Zimbabwe, and Sweden presented findings from studies conducted around the world under the theme ‘Making Epistemic Justice: An international colloquium on narrative capabilities and participatory research’. The UFS SARChI Chair in Higher Education and Human Development Research Programme, under the leadership of Professor Melanie Walker hosted the colloquium from 21-22 November in Bloemfontein.

The importance of psychological liberation

In her welcoming address, Prof Walker quoted the late Black Consciousness activist, Steve Biko, who anticipated many of the current debates on epistemic power and exclusions when he wrote that “the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed”.

Prof Walker reiterated that epistemic justice matters, as affirmed by Kenyan writer, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o who in 1981 stated that, “colonialism imposed its control over social production of wealth through military conquest and subsequent political dictatorships. But its most important area of domination was the mental universe of the colonised, the control through culture, how people perceive themselves, and their relationship to the world”.

The relationship between storytelling and social justice

Dr Holly Henderson from the University of Nottingham in the UK was the first speaker to make a presentation, titled ‘Resisting the narrative conclusion in educational research’. According to Henderson, storytelling is an essential part of the long road to social justice.

Henderson’s keen interest in the complexity of the narrative developed when she started working in further education many years ago. A significant part of her research focuses on the concept of ‘possible self’ which requires the art of storytelling in order to come to life. A study she conducted on university students delved deeper into this concept and found that environment plays a major role in the way individuals perceive the future.

“The more detailed you imagine something, the more likely you are to achieve it,” said Henderson. However, the correct structures enable the future to be imagined. Hence, curriculum decolonisation, equal access to quality education, and social justice become all the more important in achieving future success among students globally.

The art of activism and advocacy

The joint work of Dr Faith Mkwananzi from the UFS and Dr Tendayi Marovah from the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe looked at street art, otherwise known as graffiti, as a way to foster epistemic justice and collective capabilities among marginalised youth.

According to Marovah, storytelling using art gives a voice to the voiceless and assigns dignity to the excluded. “Narrative offers an opportunity in which the unheard and unseen are heard and seen.”

Delegates of the colloquium unanimously agreed that researchers are in the business of providing much-needed direction on how to stop discrimination, challenging unjust government policies and the abuse of power, promoting peace instead of violence, eradicating poverty, opening access to quality education among other social justice issues. Therefore unity in research diversity provides fertile ground for manifesting social justice.

News Archive

During 2011: Sport

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Our sports stars set their gaols high and with hard work, dedication a good measure of determination they show that they will not give up until these goals are met. A place in the national team or a medal or award in hand is enough proof that our Kovsie sportsmen and women are serious about their successes on the sports field.

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Some of our stars this year were:

Athletics:

Thuso Mpuang, our Kovsie Sportsman of the year, represented South Africa during the World Athletic Championships in Deague, Korea. He obtained the silver medal in the 200m during the World Student Games in Shenzhen, China and a gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Janette Siebert represented South Africa during the Southern Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.

Boy Soke represented South Africa during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Cape Town. He also represented South Africa during the World Cross Country Championships in China.

Cricket:

The 21-year-old former Kovsie, Obus Pienaar, who was still playing cricket for our university club until the end of the season (end of March), has been playing abroad for the Irish cricket club Waringstown from the end of April 2011.
We are proud of Obus’ achievements, in particular his contribution to the match against the CIYMS. During this game, Obus hit the highest score ever in the Northern Cricket Unions when he scored 244 runs in only 114 balls. This included 22 sixes and 13 fours. During his innings in this match, Obus also broke the July 2004 record of his compatriot, AB de Villiers of the Proteas.

Hockey:

Lesley Ann George represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Champs Challenge in Ireland. The team finished fifth.

Nicole de Vries represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.

Hettie Oosthuizen represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Izelle Lategan represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Nicole Kemp was a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.

Karate:

Elsabe le Roux was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where she obtained a gold and silver medal.

Bruno Schwalbach was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where he obtained two gold medals. He was also a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Common Wealth Karate Championship in Australia where he obtained one silver and two bronze medals. He was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the All Africa Games in Maputo Mozambique where he obtained a bronze medal.

Balungile Nchofe was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championship in Maputo, where he obtained a gold medal.

Netball:

Kovsies’ netball team has performed well over the past year with, amongst others, the inclusion of players in the SA Universities World-cup Group.

Karla Mostert and Maryka Holtzhausen participated during the World Cup in Singapore in the SPAR SA Protea team.

We are also proud of the eight players who have been included in the SA team. They are Zimari Smit, Sheri Duimpies, Ane Botha, Danique du Toit, Nieke Loubser, Karla Mostert, Fikile Mkhuzangwe and Lauren-lee Christians.

At the SA tournament, Ane Botha was named as the centre-court player of the tournament, whilst Karla Mostert was named as the best defending player. Karla has also been included in the SPAR SA Protea team to the All African Games, which start in Mozambique at the end of August.

Rugby:

Boom Prinsloo and Robert Ebershohn are representing the Springboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Soccer:

Gabisile Hlumbane, our Kovsie Sportswomanof the year, is a member of the Banyana Banyana National Soccer Team. The team obtained a bronze medal at the African Women’s Championships during October 2010, a gold medal at the Unity Cup Hosted during December 2010, a silver medal at the COSAFA Women’s Championship hosted during July 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics in 2012.

Squash:

Paul Rodrigues represented the South African U/ 23 team at the All Africa Squash Championships in Johannesburg.

Triathlon:

Nelmaré Loubser represented the SA Elite Team during the World Championships in Spain.

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