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01 September 2019 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Stephen Collett
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng
From the left: Prof Prakash Naidoo, Vice-Rector: Operations at the UFS; Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa; and Prof John Mubangizi, Dean: Faculty of Law at the UFS.

    Watch the full prestige lecture HERE.


“The government of the day should be based on the will of the people and must be led by people who deserve to lead us.” These were the words of Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, during a prestige lecture delivered in the Faculty of Law on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on 30 August 2019.

In addressing the topic of ‘Transformative Constitutionalism’, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said this simply meant that the constitution was used as a tool to change or move a family, society, institution or the nation from an unacceptable to a more desirable position. He added that constitutionalism can be enhanced through ethical, courageous, and visionary leadership.

“There is a belief that judges should have nothing to do with matters of politics. I agree, but only to a certain extent. Judges are supposed to deal with political issues, as they interpret the constitution and the law. It is inescapable in a South African context. Some say that judges should only speak through their judgments. I've always said that our constitution is political in nature.”

“The preamble of our Constitution says this country belongs to all who live in it, but to what extent have we allowed our Constitution to achieve these objectives? A constitution does not implement itself. It takes people with a particular mindset and conviction. Transformation demands from the public to ensure that government is truly based on the will of the people,” he said.

According to the Chief Justice, South Africa needs strong and well-resourced institutions – including a strong judiciary. Institutions must be vigilant for any form of abuse of power and capture. Institutions cannot only be captured by external forces. They can be captured internally as well.

Another crucial element is education and the quality and condition of higher education at every level. “Our school system must allow the youth who are coming from high school to be able to adapt with ease when they get to university.”

“We need people who truly love their country to assume positions of power. Transformative constitutionalism is all about giving expression in a practical way. We should look at solutions for our country based on compromise that can bring us together as South Africans.”

He paid tribute to people such as former President Nelson Mandela, Mama Albertina Sisulu, and Adv Bram Fischer, who opted for the greater good of many, rather than personal satisfaction and gain. “South Africa belongs to all – not some – who live in it, united in our diversity. Are you prepared to serve the state? Do you love this nation? Go out there and pursue social justice. Don't buy things from thieves just because they are cheap. You are encouraging crime.”

“We can't continue this way and expect a different outcome. It is not too late; go out there and contribute towards building the South Africa that we can be proud of,” he concluded.

Hosted by Prof John Mubangizi, Dean of the UFS Faculty of Law, the prestige lecture was attended by approximately 800 guests, comprising senior members of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the Free State Division of the High Court, the university’s executive management, the Faculty of Law, staff members, students, and members of the public.

The Prestige Lecture Series was originally known as the Law Deans’ Prestige Lecture Series and was initiated by the late Prof Johan Henning, former Dean of the UFS Faculty of Law. The series started in 2011 as an initiative to encourage, develop, and expand academic discourse on topical jurisprudential issues and other related matters. Previous lectures were delivered by, among others, Prof Barry Rider from the University of Cambridge in the UK; Justice Richard Goldstone, formerly of the Constitutional Court of South Africa; former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke; and more recently, Judge President Dennis Davis.

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Postgraduates’ new Kovsies home
2013-05-10

 
Some of the guests attending the launch, included from left: Prof Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic, Dr Henriette van den Berg, Director: Postgraduate School and Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research.
10 May 2013
Photo: Johan Roux

Postgraduate students and their academic 'parents' at the University of the Free State (UFS) now have a dedicated physical, emotional and electronic space to provide for their specialised needs in order to further promote research excellence at the UFS.

The university's Postgraduate School was launched in May 2011, but ventured further in the quest to fulfil and expand its mandate with new initiatives. These different aspects of the school were launched on Wednesday 8 May 2013 in the CR Swart Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus. The postgraduate strategy, postgraduate prospectus, the website and the headquarters of the Postgraduate School in the Johannes Brill Building were all unveiled and launched.

Prof Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic, who was a major driving force behind the formation of the Postgraduate School, during her address at the opening emphasised the multifaceted and unique relationships which often exist between students and supervisors.

Prof Hay, who has a distinguished academic background in postgraduate teaching, made plain her expectations for the Postgraduate School. She said it aims to "create an intellectual space for postgraduate students and supervisors" in order to produce world-class intellectuals at this university.

She said the school will empower both students who often don't know what to expect from supervision, as well as supervisors who often lack supervision skills. Through this it will be possible to create healthy, productive relationships between the distinct pairs in often misunderstood, unbalanced and intricate interactions.

Dr Henriette van den Berg, Director of the Postgraduate School, introduced the strategic plan of the school and emphasised the great strides that have already been made and what still needs to be done at the UFS in terms of postgraduate teaching. According to her, the Postgraduate School aims towards "holistic development of postgraduate students with transferable skills," through a multi-level and institution-wide approach at the university.

"Our aim is to develop a one-step service for postgraduate students, involving all the different stakeholders," she said.

The new Postgraduate School website was also showcased during the event. Reachable through a number of avenues on the main website, the site offers a digital version of the Johannes Brill Building. Brimming with features catering specifically for local, international, current and prospective students, the website provides crucial information.

The Johannes Brill Building's refurbished interior, with staff offices, seminar rooms and social spaces, were also showcased to UFS' staff and students. The initial phase of the Supervisors' Wall of Fame was also unveiled. According to Dr van den Berg , the wall will after completion bestow much-deserved praise on a hand-picked group of 60 supervisors who have respectively been responsible for more than 300 and more than 500 successful PhD and master's candidates over the past decade.

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