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15 July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fracture lines in societies worldwide. South Africa is no different. The poor are less able to protect themselves from the danger posed by the virus. Workers in factories, mines, and the service sector went back to their places of work following the lifting of the strictest lockdown measures, while office workers, typically better paid, can generally work from home. Living conditions in informal settlements make social distancing all but impossible, while the middle class can largely stay at home and stay safe to a much larger extent. With many businesses shutting down, downsizing or rethinking their business models, it is often small and medium, as well as informal sector businesses that are most affected.  

The impact of COVID-19 comes on the back of a society and economy that was already under significant pressure following years of low economic growth and poor government performance. Many commentators have already questioned the social compact South Africans made in the mid-1990s, which marked the end of the apartheid regime. These divisions have become more glaring, with some civil society organisations considering challenging the Minister of Finance’s adjustment budget in the Constitutional Court, because the budget might result in a roll-back of the progressive realisation of the socio-economic rights mandated in the Constitution.

In this first of four webinars, academics from the UFS as well as invited experts reflect on the constitutional commitment South Africans made to one another two and half decades ago. Is it time for a new deal? Should we collectively recommit ourselves to our existing deal? Do we interpret that deal in the same way today as we did more than two decades ago? How does the economic reality we face, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, affect that deal? What are the economic realities we face, and whose are they? And how should we think about human development in the context of our deal? 

Come and join us from 14:00 to 15:30 on 21 July. 

RSVP to Sibongile Mlotya at MlotyaS@ufs.ac.za no later than 19 July, upon which you will receive a Business for Skype meeting invite.

Speakers:
Prof Danie Brand on ‘New deal’ or collective recommitment? The Constitution under COVID-19 and beyond

Prof Melanie Walker on Human development and the capability approach in COVID-19 times

Prof Lochner Marais on Reflections on continuities and discontinuities after COVID-19

Prof Philippe Burger on Viewing the realisation of socio-economic rights in a post-COVID-19 South Africa through an economic lens

 

Please also mark the following dates in your diaries for the second through fourth Reflection webinars:
Gender Inequalities and Gender-based Violence 28 July 14:00-15:30
The quality of our democracy under COVID-19 and beyond 13 August 14:00-15:30
Urban living post-COVID-19 27 August 14:00-15:30

News Archive

Wayde van Niekerk conquers Stockholm
2014-06-05

Wherever Kovsie athlete Wayde van Niekerk goes, a trophy seems to follow. This time, Van Niekerk vanquished the rest of the track in Stockholm, Sweden. He won the 200 m for men at the Sollentuna Grand Prix athletics meeting in a time of 20.53 seconds.

This victory closely follows Van Niekerk’s smashing the record in the men's 400m sprint. A record that went unbeaten for 15 years. He re-wrote this piece of history while competing at the Diamond League in New York. Van Niekerk now sets the new SA record at 44.38 seconds. He placed second over-all in the New York race.

In the past six months alone, he has already featured in the SA Student Championships in the 200 m, U/23 National Championships and the Senior Men's National 400 m Championships. He has also participated in the World Junior Championship in Canada and the World Championships in Russia.

At this stage, Van Niekerk is looking forward to the SA National Finals later this year and hopes to break the SA record – which forms part of his journey to Brazil in 2016.

"No success story is easy. One has to keep pushing harder and be the best they can be on and off the track. Never give up, because you are an inspiration," he encourages young athletes.

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