UFH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HOSTED A THOUGHT-PROVOKING STUDENT LECTURE IN COMMEMORATION OF NELSON MANDELA MONTH

"We have the best constitution in the country, ushered in by the iconic Nelson Mandela. Why, then, do we still face paradoxes in human rights such as gender-based violence, murder, fraud, and corruption?"

This thought-provoking question, posed by University of Fort Hare (UFH) Vice-Chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu, encouraged thoughtful reflections from the audience and set the tone of the Student Lecture on Constitutional Rights Awareness held in commemoration of the late statesman and alumnus of UFH, Nelson Mandela.

Hosted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in collaboration with the UFH Faculty of Law, the event took place on Friday, 19 July 2024, at the East London campus. The engagement, themed “Promoting the Culture of Human Rights – Nelson Mandela the Advocate for Human Rights,” provided a platform for meaningful conversations among attendees, including diverse stakeholders in the legal and justice system.

The dialogue series, a key initiative in the Department of Justice’s efforts to promote constitutional rights awareness and mark three decades of democracy, aimed to deepen students' understanding of the Constitution and foster a culture of human rights and equality championed by Nelson Mandela.

Speakers included representatives from the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality, and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), who shared insights on their roles in facilitating access to quality higher education.

Dr Eileen Carter, the Eastern Cape Provincial Manager for the South African Human Rights Commission and an alumna of the faculty, stressed the importance of the actualization of human rights. “Human rights cannot remain at an abstract level; they must be actualized and played out in real life,” she said.

Gender Equality Commissioner Leanashia Van Der Merwe spoke at length on gender equality issues, while Ms Yandisa Jubase gave an interesting presentation on behalf of the NYDA, outlining their contributions to educational access.

The program also featured Mr Aphelele Matinise, President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), who provided valuable student perspectives and highlighted the importance of accountability. “There are rights and there are responsibilities, and they cannot be separated.”

Speaking on behalf of the Department, Mr Andrew Witbooi, Director of Legal Administration and Advocacy in the Eastern Cape, encouraged the audience to uphold the legacy and values of Nelson Mandela. “As we forge ahead on the path that Nelson Mandela started, let us be active, informed, and engaged citizens who participate in determining the future direction of our country.”

A vibrant Question and Answer session facilitated by Prof Partick Osode allowed for an interactive exchange of ideas between students and stakeholders, reinforcing the dialogue's goal of empowering students as future leaders and active citizens.

Ms Zisile Alizwa, an LLM student at Fort Hare, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and organizers for ensuring the event was a success. “Tata Mandela’s roots are edged at this institution; it was quite fitting that Fort Hare played an integral role in celebrating his legacy,” she said.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of commitment among attendees to uphold Mandela's legacy through continued advocacy for human rights, education, and equality in South Africa.