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17 May 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo iStock
Africa Reparation Hub Launch 2024
Join us as we unite to confront the challenges of our past and pave the way for a more just and equitable future for all Africans.

The Department of Public Law at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Law is proud to announce the launch of the UFS Africa Reparation Hub alongside a colloquium centred around the theme Unifying Africa for Action to Advance Reparatory Justice.

Date: 6 June 2024

Time: 11:00-16:00

Venue : Microsoft Teams; join the event here

Click to view documentClick here to RSVP and here for more information and speakers.

The pursuit of reparations for historical and contemporary injustices in Africa has gathered significant momentum. From the adoption of the African Union resolution advocating a united front to the push for reparations of past atrocities, the continent is asserting its demand for justice. This drive traces its roots back to historical landmarks like the Abuja Proclamation of 1993 and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in 2001.

Launch of the hub

Aligned with the UFS Vision 130, the university has established the UFS Africa Reparation Hub to serve as a nucleus for frank discussions on Africa's reparations. It houses a comprehensive database of resources on the subject and is poised to host expert groups dedicated to furthering the cause.

The Colloquium

The faculty invites academics, policymakers, human rights advocates, justice professionals, and representatives from international, regional, and national bodies to the colloquium which will precede the launch of the hub. This virtual gathering aims to foster dialogue and action toward reparatory justice in Africa. Thereafter, attendees will witness the official launch of the UFS Africa Reparation Hub, marking a significant step forward in the continent’s journey towards healing and restitution.

Leading voices on reparatory justice

In an eagerly awaited keynote address, Prof Verene Shepherd, the esteemed Director of the Centre for Reparations Research at the University of West Indies, Jamaica, is poised to set the stage for a thought-provoking discussion on reparatory justice. Joining her will be a distinguished line-up of speakers including Prof Serges Kamga (Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS); Martin Okumu-Masiga (Secretary-General of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum); Dr Ahmed Bugri (Senior Expert and Coordinator for Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing at the African Union); and Prof Kula Theletsane (Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Affairs in Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Dr Catherine Namakula, Convenor of the Africa Reparation Hub, is anticipated to moderate the discussion, guiding the conversation towards actionable strategies for advancing reparations and fostering racial healing across Africa and beyond.

News Archive

Student leaders must graduate, says UFS Chancellor
2017-06-01

Description:Qwaqwa SRC members graduate  Tags: Qwaqwa SRC members graduate

Qwaqwa Campus SRC President, Njabulo Mwali
(centre), flanked by Ntokozo Masiteng (left) and
Ntokozo Thango (right), after their graduation.

In an unprecedented move, the University of the Free State’s Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, took a special moment to congratulate graduating student leaders during the recent ceremonies held on the Qwaqwa Campus.

"I am very proud that we are a university where the SRC Presidents graduate," he said, referring to both the current and former SRC Presidents, Njabulo Mwali and Paseka Sikhosana, respectively graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) and a Bachelor of Education (FET Phase).

"There are many universities where you have professional SRC Presidents, spending years and years on campuses and hardly going through the second year, and then they fight the hardest against exclusions," he said.

Two other members of the current SRC Qwaqwa Campus also graduated during the Humanities ceremony held on Friday 12 May 2017. They are Ntokozo Masiteng (Student Development and Environmental Affairs) and Ntokozo Mbali Thango (Sports Affairs).

Over 550 degrees and certificates were conferred in three ceremonies, which kicked off the University of the Free State’s graduation season. These included five PhDs from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

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