A critical commentary of the current state of South Africa offered a message of hope at the fourth annual social justice lecture which took place at Stellenbosch University (SU) on 21 February.
The keynote speaker at the event was former Constitutional Court judge, justice Albie Sachs.
Former Constitutional Court judge, justice Albie Sachs, during his keynote speech at Stellenbosch University’s fourth annual social justice lecture. PHOTO: Jess Holing
‘Not the society we were fighting for’
“Yes, this is the country we were fighting for, not the society we were fighting for,” stated Sachs in his opening remarks. “It’s not a fair country. It’s not a safe country. But, it’s an open country,” added Sachs.
Sachs, a self-described “incurable optimist” was adamant that South Africa has come a long way as a nation, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
The time is now
“It’s our mess now. If we don’t fix it, it will mess with us,” stated Prof Thuli Madonsela, who echoed the views of Sachs. Madonsela, the law trust chair in social justice at SU’s Centre for Social Justice, delivered the concluding remarks and the vote of thanks at the event.
Prof Thuli Madonsela, law trust chair in social justice at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Social Justice, and former Constitutional Court judge, justice Albie Sachs after his keynote speech at Stellenbosch University’s fourth annual social justice lecture. PHOTO: Jess Holing
Madonsela said that she believes South Africa needs people to bring about the South African society that Sachs fought for. “I believe that by being in this room, you are one of those midwives… you could’ve been in a thousand places, but you care about the society that he [Sachs] cared for,” concluded Madonsela.
“It [the quote by Sachs] gives South Africans hope and generates trust in the institutions that were fought for by people like justice Sachs,” said Wilmien van Biljon, a final year LLB student at SU, who attended the lecture. “It simultaneously inspires the younger generation to actively contribute to building a society that would fit this country.”
The Ou Hoofgebou at Stellenbosch University, where former Constitutional Court judge, justice Albie Sachs recently delivered the keynote speech at Stellenbosch University’s fourth annual social justice lecture. PHOTO: Daniel Roodt