Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

#AfricaMonth2024: Championing global citizenship and African higher education

31 May 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Matome Mokoena

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted a compelling event at its Bloemfontein Campus in celebration of Africa Day. Under the theme “World Citizenship and African Higher Education: Preparing Students for a Connected World”, the gathering, organised by the Office for International Affairs, brought together distinguished speakers and scholars to explore the significance of Africa Day and the pivotal role of African institutions of higher learning in shaping a global mindset.

In his opening address, Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, emphasised the importance of commemorating Africa Day as a means to honour the continent's history, celebrate its diversity, and reaffirm commitments to unity, peace, and progress in Africa. “Events of this nature remind us that Africa is rising and increasingly claiming its rightful place as a thought and leadership influencer in the global community of nations. How we, as the UFS, embrace this as an opportunity for innovation and impact is of critical importance to our institutional vision, which we call Vision 130, setting out our collective intent to the year 2034, when the university will mark the 130th anniversary of its founding,” he added.

Addressing inequality and colonial legacies

A panel discussion featuring prominent speakers delved into critical issues affecting African society and higher education. Advocate Thando Gumede, a respected human rights and feminist activist, passionately advocated for substantive equality and the dismantling of systemic barriers to empower black women in society, with a particular focus on academic institutions. Gumede emphasised the persistent issues facing African women and girls, particularly black women, in the economy and leadership roles. “It’s now 2024, and yet a black government has purposefully and intentionally failed to meaningfully address the laws, systems, and colonial ideologies that ultimately led to the socioeconomic and political paralysis and violation of African women and girls today, especially black women within the economy and roles of leadership,” she asserted.

She further elaborated on the metaphor of tiptoeing around a house, symbolising the cautious and ineffective efforts to address these deep-seated issues. Advocate Gumede’s call to action was clear: "We have been tiptoeing in this house for 30 years, not wanting to bump the nice transparent vases around the house. We have been silently tiptoeing around this house so as to not wake up the masters. We have been unable to breathe in this house because we have been giving excessive amounts of oxygen to those who don't need it as much as we do. And so, what I'm trying to say is that unless we are willing to tear the entire house down and smash the foundation that it once stood on, there ain’t nothing going to change. Folks, we need to destroy the house and go build something new somewhere else."

Decolonising academic discourse and promoting inclusivity

Other panelists included Prof Itumeleng Mosala, an academic specialising in theology and religious studies, who passionately highlighted the need to decolonise theological discourse and challenge Eurocentric narratives for a more inclusive academic environment. Additionally, Prof Vasu Reddy, Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation of the UFS, stressed the value of embracing diverse perspectives and knowledge systems to cultivate critical thinking and intercultural understanding among students.

Promoting social justice through higher education

Dr Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa (USAf), spoke about the pivotal role of higher education institutions in promoting social justice through global engagement and addressing historical injustices to build a more equitable society. “Success in higher education hinges on multiple components, including access, resources, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems. Embracing indigenous knowledge is vital not only for cultural affirmation but also for global advancement, with numerous universities and organisations making significant strides in this area.”

“Pedagogies that promote social justice, such as peer learning and reflective teaching, are essential. These methods validate students' knowledge and encourage comprehensive learning. The Ubuntu pedagogy, which emphasises care, collaboration, and language, is particularly affirming and relevant in advancing education,” she added.

Towards equity and renewal

Three recommendations were proposed for consideration: undoing the residue of colonial leadership ethos, leveraging African knowledge systems in education, and continuously questioning and reflecting on practices to ensure alignment with values and genuine progress.As the event concluded, Prof Petersen urged attendees to reflect on the insights shared and consider their roles in driving positive change within their communities and institutions. The UFS Africa Day event served as a platform for robust discourse on advancing global citizenship and African higher education, reaffirming the institution's commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge for societal transformation.

News Archive

Judge Albie Sachs and Candice Mama discuss traumas of the past and forgiveness in the present

2015-08-05

Judge Albie Sachs embraces Candice Mama for her courage in confronting Eugene de Kock, who killed her father.

Two generations. Two stories of triumph. Two South Africans who have displayed immense courage.

Public Dialogue on Trauma, Memory, and Representations of the Past

Judge Albie Sachs and Candice Mama exchanged their experiences of past trauma and subsequent transformation in a public conversation. The event was co-hosted by Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela and The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) in Cape Town on Thursday 30 July 2015.

The event was the first instalment in a series entitled Public Dialogue on Trauma, Memory, and Representations of the Past. The theme of the discussion was ‘Intergenerational Dialogue on Trauma and Healing’.

"The aim of these public dialogue events we are co-hosting with IJR is to place the issues of trauma and memory, and the strategies that individuals and communities use to heal, in the public sphere," Prof Gobodo-Madikizela, Senior Research Professor in Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) said.

Judge Albie Sachs and Candice Mama in conversation

Former Constitutional Court Judge, Albie Sachs, talked about his participation in South Africa’s liberation struggle, the loss of his right arm in an assassination attempt, and meeting the man responsible – Henri van der Westhuizen. Despite years of exile and extended periods of solitary confinement, Judge Sachs maintains that “we need to acknowledge our history, not be trapped by it.” Judge Sachs also remarked, though, that “we’re seeing too much lamentation, not enough activation.” In a heartrending gesture, Judge Sachs embraced Candice Mama in a hug for her courage in confronting Eugene de Kock, who killed her father.

How poignant then, when Mama said, “I wanted to embrace the brokenness within him,” when she spoke about her meeting with De Kock. By the time I met with Eugene, I could meet him as a human being, not as a villain.” Mama believes that forgiving someone translates into an investment in the person you are forgiving and in your own sanity. She also emphasised the importance of dialogue to move our country forward: “When we share our stories with each other authentically, walls break down.”

This is a stance that Prof Gobodo-Madikizela supports strongly: “When we listen to one another, something unexpected emerges; we encounter the human in each other,” she said. “When we listen with open hearts to each other, we see and experience each other’s humanity.”

Building a bridge between research and society

Referring to the research aspect of the event, Prof Gobodo-Madikizela said that, "in establishing the series of public dialogue events, our vision is to create a bridge between scholarly research and the community at large, on the one hand, and a visual conscience of society, on the other." The UFS is collaborating with the IJR on this research project, which is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The endeavour is led by Prof Gobodo-Madikizela, who also serves as Board Member of the IJR.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept