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12 August 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin and ANDRÉ DAMONS | Photo Flickr Creative Commons
The Hon. Minister Lindiwe Zulu will be the keynote speaker.

The Department of Social Work in the Faculty of the Humanities at the University of the Free State, together with the Zola Skweyiya African Social Policy Innovation (ZSASPI) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), will bring together experts for a virtual colloquium on the role of social science in South Africa’s protest culture. The keynote speaker is the Honourable Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development

Various social science academics and experts from the UFS, University of Cape Town, the University of Venda (Univen), the University of South Africa (Unisa), and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) will present on various related themes. 

The speakers will look to find social sciences-driven solutions on active citizenry (incorporating communities and harnessing their energies towards the national development agenda), the establishment of a nexus between rights and responsibilities (dealing with problems in the absence of violence), the acculturation of younger generations into the values of nation building and economic inclusion. 

In addition to Minister Zulu, other speakers include Dr Ncube, Prof Chitja Twala (Vice-Dean, Faculty of the Humanities, UFS), Prof Noyoo, Dr Motlalepula Nathane-Taulela (University of the Witwatersrand – WITS), Dr Grey Magaiza (UFS), and Dr Thabisa Matsea (University of Venda – UNIVEN). They will give presentations on the notion of rights with responsibilities, active citizenry, political intolerance and inequality, unemployment and poverty.

View full programme


Details of colloquium:
Theme: South Africa’s protest culture and wanton violence: Any role for social sciences?
Date: 18 August
Time: 09:30-15:00
Platform: Zoom

Registration is required

Click here to register

 

 

News Archive

Now is the right time to talk, says Njabulo
2015-04-20


Njabulo Mabaso

Studying at a multicultural campus adds a lot of colour and spice towards every student’s experience, and it also offers some necessary challenges.

This belief is held by the Qwaqwa Campus SRC member responsible for RAG, Community Service & Dialogue, Njabulo Mabaso.

“Our multi-culturalism should be our uniting force, especially at this time in our country. What started as a one-person protest against the Cecil Rhodes statue at UCT should be used to broaden our view in relation to challenges that we are still facing as students and as a country. We need to talk more”, said Mabaso, a final-year BEd FET Languages student.

“Now is the right time for us to really talk about issues affecting us as young adults. Matters of collective interest like pregnancy rates, alcohol and substance abuse, sexism, crime, xenophobia, etc. need to be tackled”, added Mabaso, a weightlifting fanatic.

“As the student leadership, we intend working closely with community structures as we come from the very same communities. We must not wait for Mandela Day to do good.”

“My portfolio, together with Arts and Culture and Sports Affairs portfolios, can create that necessary social cohesion that we as students and our communities need so much.”

Mabaso said that all perceived taboos should be dealt with.

“Our programme this year encourages open dialogue. Nothing should still be treated as a ‘no-go area’ if we are to survive the scourge of HIV. We must talk openly, despite the cultural challenges that might restrict us. We must talk about homophobia. We must talk about rape. In fact, how many students – male and female – really understand what rape is? Does culture even recognise the ‘no’ factor associated with rape? It is important that we should not leave it until it is too late. We must not wait until it is his word against hers. We must deal with these matters now. The right time to engage is now”, he added.

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