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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

SRC Inauguration speech: 22 January 2005

2005-01-22

Campus Head (Prof Peter Mbati). Dean of Students (Dr Natie Luyt). Deputy Director: Student Affairs and my boss (Mr. Teboho Manchu), Members of the University executive and Academic staff members, SRC members, Leaders of trade Unions and Student organizations, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, most importantly first entering students and Parents receive my heartfelt revolutionary greetings.

Let me extend my word of appreciation to our distinguished guests for adding value and dignity to this event. Your presence here means a lot to us. Program Director what I bring here with me, assisted by facts, and is therefore just the work of my imagination. Like a love letter addressed to a sweetheart miles away, even though you do not know how she feels, what she wants to hear, and do not even know how her face looks like.

To me a speech is just an honest and intimate conversation. That is why I got into the habit of establishing a dialogue, or a debate, with my acquaintances looking at their faces and trying to persuade them of what I am telling them.

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament we are gathering at this ceremony, significantly few weeks after the release of grade 12 results, with the exception of those from Mpumalanga because of fraud. The Grade 12 results also show that only 18% of Black learners matriculated with exemptions, as compared to 53, 6% of white learners. This is an indication that our education system needs an overhaul.

We are also gathered here significantly a day after the management retreat held in Bloemfontein, Masselspoort. The retreat discussed, among other things, the transformation agenda, and some possible solutions to challenges we are facing now.

Most regrettably, we are gathered here when the whole world morns the victims of Tsunami tragedy. Let me therefore tore the line and convey our deepest condolences, from the last robot of my heart, to the affected families. Our hearts and thoughts will always be occupied by this horrified tragedy.

Creating a new Institution

I would submit, for purposes of debate and discussions that this Institution should strive to specialize and excel in regional rural development studies. Since our higher education, institutions in South Africa are generally weak in rural development studies. Instead, most of them tend to have an urban orientation to their programmes. Training everybody for the cities, big business and the private sector. This is a big weakness in a country with such large rural areas and population trapped in poverty, disease and ignorance.

Women’s studies

Program Director, it is only a moron who can argue against the fact that for us to reposition the institution around the regional development challenge, we need to start first with women empowerment. It is a fact that in most of our poor communities and families, it is women who withstand the worst of poverty. They are the ones who daily have to wipe tears from children who are hungry. It is women who look after the sick, the elderly, those dying from AIDS and the jobless. They are the one who have to fetch water, make fire and cook. There can therefore be no rural development studies without women studies, in particular on how to empower them and assist in the provision of basic services, so that they are relieved from some of the burdensome task of the society.

Registration Process

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament let me indicate that the registration is a process and not an event, so it cannot be concluded overnight. This huge process demands for people to stay calm, as there is no crisis. People should stop being excited. At the same time, no organization should use its cheap popularity and unilaterally disrupt the continuous and smooth running of the registration process at hand.

Let me strongly indicate, madam deputy speaker, that I am on record for stating that I have forgiven all those who have wronged us. I harbour no bitterness towards the protagonists of our painful and unfortunate events of the past week. And we will overcome this process not by our own devices but by the help of Almighty God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Concerning registration of first years, we have programs, concerning that of senior students, we have programs, regarding graduations we have programs, and concerning HIV\AIDS we have programs. So, there is no need for people to press panicking buttons.

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament let me be opportunistic and welcome the entire student body on Campus for the academic year 2005. May our lovely first entering students have a happy and momentous year as part of Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State. May your studies be fruitful and enjoyable.

Student years are generally the happiest years of your life, so please make the most of them. While you are doing, all your preparations bear in mind that University is not an opportunity, it is just creating opportunities for a person.

On behalf of SRC members, our people, our students and management members I would like to welcome you all. Even though your parents are far away, here at Uniqwa you have more brothers, more sisters and more parents. Since we will love you with the same love as if we are from one family, and I have no doubts that management members will love and care for you as if you are their own children. Should you encounter any problem while studying at the Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State do not hesitate to contact us at the SRC offices because we need to ameliorate any factor influencing you negatively while on campus. I wish you well in the attainment of your academic pursuit.

Senior Students: We are not faced with just a new year but another academic year where we all have to work together to achieve our common goal of building our Institution through the development of human power. I urge you to invest your whole selves in this SRC.

For quite some time now, a debate has been ranging as to, whether has there been any progress in this incorporation process, or we are just moving with no direction. This debate is important, but I hasten to add not essential. The SRC is also involved in this debate, but with definite shift in emphasis. For us it is not important to participate in the debate than it is in finding solutions for the challenges of this new chapter in the history of humankind.

To my colleagues: Comrades, we are leading this Institution with a sense of pride and duty, and I know very well that we lead men and women, students who are determined to ensure that we all reach our destination safely and on time.

I said in one of our meetings that there are more enemies on our way, more than we can imagine. I think you witnessed that during the course of this week. The excitement and unnecessary confusions caused by some confused and loosed charlatans bear testimony to my statements. We should not reveal our game plans unless we are ready to slam.

Let me also borrow from the words of the late Albert Lethuli when he said and I quote: “There remains before us the building of the new land, from the ruins of the old narrow groups, a synthesis of the rich cultural strains which we have inherited. The task is immense”. Lastly, a navy divided within its ranks will be vanquished and destroyed by the enemy, but a navy united in purpose and action, loyalty and commitment will not drawn but sail on to victory.

In conclusion, let me call upon all political structures, church denominations, developmental structures, clubs, societies and forums to put aside all their differences, ideological insinuations and forge unity towards transforming Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State into an institution that is seen playing vigilant role in developing students academically, politically, socially, spiritually, religiously, culturally and otherwise.

Program Director, let me end my speech by indicating that every drop of my blood is telling me that Uniqwa is my home. I firstly became a student here, I became an activist here, I became a leader here, I became a president here, I will become a graduant here and hopefully I will become an employee here. So never, doubt my commitment towards the community of this campus.

Please be informed, in a central University of Technology’s way, that if there is no UNIQWA in HEAVEN, then I am not GOING.

Let us broaden the social base.

Tello Titus Wa-Motloung President General

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