In commemoration of World Social Justice Day on Tuesday 20 February, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) at Stellenbosch University (SU) will present its fifth annual Social Justice Lecture.
Hosted by CSJ director Professor Thuli Madonsela, this year’s prestigious event will feature Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka as the keynote speaker.
The lecture is a premier feature on the SU academic calendar, enjoying the full support of its leadership, including the vice-chancellor and rector, Professor Wim de Villiers, and the chancellor, Justice (Ret) Edwin Cameron.
Previous luminaries who have delivered the lecture include Judge President (Ret) Dennis Davis, human-rights lawyer Yasmin Sooka and Constitutional Court Justice and global human rights icon Albie Sachs. The lecture aims to spotlight social justice as a global challenge and be a catalyst for efforts to transform societies to become more socially just, in which all rights and freedoms are equally enjoyed by all.
“Advocate Gcaleka’s background, position and pronouncements on social justice make her an ideal leader to deliver the lecture and galvanise humanity behind a shared paradigm at a time when social injustice is emerging as a key driver of democratic backsliding, the appeal of demagoguery and social fracture,” says Madonsela.
De Villiers says the Social Justice Lecture reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in the ongoing quest for a more just society. “SU stands firmly behind initiatives that foster meaningful conversations and drive actions towards social equality,” he said. “Hosting Advocate Gcaleka, a prominent figure in her role as public protector, is not only a privilege but also a recognition of the urgency surrounding the topic she will address, an honour that resonates now more than ever.”
Having started her career with the National Prosecuting Authority as an aspirant prosecutor in 2004, Gcaleka has served as a special advisor to the ministers of Public Service and Administration, Home Affairs and Finance, with a specific focus on administration, legal, legislation and policy development, strategy, compliance and governance. She also served on the committee of inquiry probing the state of affairs of municipalities across Gauteng.
Gcaleka’s vision is to use her legal acumen to enhance good governance, ethical, sound legal and strategic advice and practice. “Social justice in South Africa encompasses a range of principles and actions aimed at creating a fair, inclusive and equitable society,” she says.
“Given SU’s commitment to contributing to the national agenda focused on the transformation of democracy into the constitutional promise of a better life for all South Africans, the university’s annual Social Justice Lecture is an incredible platform to contribute to this dialogue and share the achievements, challenges and hopes on the road travelled into democracy and the pursuit of social justice so far.”
The title of Gcaleka’s lecture will be “Social justice, an antidote to poverty: 30 years into democracy, what still needs to be done?”. The lecture is open to civil society organisations, academics, students, lawyers, judges, lawmakers and the general public.
It takes place on Tuesday at the SU Faculty of Law’s Ou Hoofgebou. Time: 18:00 for 18:30. Reservations are essential by today (Friday 16 February); register at https://bitly.ws/3dfwR.
Direct all enquiries to Thembalethu Seyisi on tseyisi@sun.ac.za or 072 785 3218.
