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02 January 2025
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Story Edzani Nephalela
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Photo Lethabo Machabaphala
From the left are, Prof John Klaasen, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion; Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the UFS; Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS; Prof Allan Boesak; Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel at Stellenbosch University; and Dr Eugene Fortein, Senior Lecturer: Historical and Constructive Theology at Prof Boesak’s book launch.
In a world increasingly defined by the stark contrasts of power and vulnerability, the concept of democracy often reveals itself as a double-edged sword. For the children of struggle – those who have grown up amid the chaos of inequality and conflict – democracy can feel like a distant promise, an ideal often outmanned by the realities they face. The deception of hope lingers in the air as aspirations clash with systemic barriers, leaving many to navigate a landscape where a harsh daily existence obscures the principles of freedom and justice. This exploration seeks to uncover the intricate dynamics between hope and disillusionment, shedding light on the lived experiences of those who yearn for a brighter future yet grapple with the weight of unfulfilled promises.
This was the essence of the public lecture titled Outmanned by Democracy: Children of Struggle, Deception, and Hope, presented by Prof Allan Boesak, a theologian and political activist, on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Prof Boesak confronted the continuous socio-economic challenges faced by South Africa and other nations, including racism, narrow ethnic nationalism, and the revival of tribalism. He emphasised the role of churches in tackling these issues. “The responsibility of churches is to articulate what politicians are often afraid to say,” he stated. “Put your ideologies into practice and leverage your power as ministers of the Word to shape the future and reclaim the dignity of your people. This is where unity transcends colour and stature. Consider the various roles that churches could play in reconciling communities, as seen in the Gaza crisis.”
During his visit to the UFS Faculty of Theology and Religion, Prof Boesak also launched a four-volume set titled The Fire, The River and the Scorched Earth: Fifty Years of Black Theology Through the Lens of Allan Boesak. The first three volumes include his lectures and responses from various theologians, while the fourth contains his sermons. This body of work aims to document, critique, and celebrate the contributions of black theology, highlighting its role in the struggle for justice and liberation and underscoring Prof Boesak’s unwavering commitment to freedom, liberation, and democracy.
In a time when hope and disillusionment coexist, Prof Boesak’s insights remind us of the transformative power of faith and activism in the continuing fight for a more equitable world
UFS awards honorary degree to Justice Richard Goldstone
2012-01-26
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| Justice Richard Goldstone |
A huge honour will be bestowed upon the University of the Free State (UFS) when the world renowned Justice Richard Goldstone will be receiving an honorary degree at the official opening of our university.
The Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) degree will be conferred on Justice Goldstone on Friday 3 February 2012 at 10:00 on our Bloemfontein Campus.
Mr Richard Freedman, Director of the South African Holocaust and Genocide Foundation, and Judge Mahube Molemela, Justice of the Free State High Court, are amongst the prominent figures expected to attend this event.
Justice Goldstone served in the Constitutional Court from 1995 to 2003. Prior to that, he was a judge of the High Court and from 1989 a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. From 1994 to 1996 he was the first Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. He is presently a Senior Fellow at the Jackson Institute at Yale University in the United States. Over the past 18 years he has become a leading expert on international criminal law.
Prof. Neels Swanepoel, Head of the Department of Law of Procedure and Law of Evidence, said the faculty is proud to honour Judge Richard Goldstone for his outstanding legal career and in particular for his contribution to the development of international criminal justice.
“As Chief Prosecutor for both the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) as well as the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), he has contributed to precedent-setting judgments on genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. His publications on various aspects of International Criminal Justice have contributed towards the stage where those bearing the greatest responsibility for human and humanitarian rights violations, will face justice.”
Prof. Swanepoel says judge Goldstone has contributed towards laying the foundations for conflict resolution in societies that have transformed from repressive to democratic rule and to what is now referred to as ‘transitional justice’.
On Thursday 2 February 2012 at 19:00, Judge Goldstone will deliver a Prestige Lecture on ‘The Future of International Criminal Justice’ in the Auditorium of the C.R Swart Building on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.
Media Release
26 January 2012
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za