"At the core of Ubuntu are two things: respect and restoration. Respect everyone's humanity as equal to the humanity of any other. Restore the humanity of everyone so Ubuntu has a restorative dimension. But we even restore the harmful people. So, going back to the case in Limpopo - those who were raised to believe that other people have a lower status than a dog have not been restored to embrace the humanity of fellow human beings. What do you expect to happen in their private spaces?" — Thuli Madonsela
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s remarks were delivered against the backdrop of one of the most gruesome cases in South Africa.
In Limpopo, three men, including a farmer, are accused of killing two women and disposing of their bodies in a pigsty. The women were shot while collecting expired food at the farm.
Reports suggest that the pigs consumed parts of the victims' bodies, intensifying the horror of the crime.
The case ignited widespread outrage and sparked critical discussions about gender-based violence and safety in rural South Africa.
It was also in this context that the University of the Western Cape (UWC), an institution deeply rooted in social justice, hosted the Sixth World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Social Inequality from September 3 to 5, 2024.
The conference, held at UWC’s Bellville Campus in Cape Town, united academic, policy, and community leaders from across the globe to confront systemic inequality.
Professor Thuli MadonselaHer words resonated with the conference's aim to address and find practical solutions to the systemic inequalities that plague societies worldwide.
Jointly presented by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of the Western Cape, and the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota (RWC), the conference tackled pressing global issues such as climate change, gender inequality, and digital oppression.
Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Professor Michelle Esau, who co-hosted the event, emphasised the importance of moving beyond problem-focused conversations toward actionable solutions.
"In my view, successful international partnerships such as this one between UWC and the University of Minnesota in general, and the EMS Faculty and the Roy Wilkins Centre, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, is about the people who are invested in this partnership. People can envision a brighter tomorrow - a tomorrow with greater equity than there is today, a tomorrow where individuals can aspire to their full potential," said Prof Esau.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Director and Professor of the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Professor Samuel L Myers Jr, who applauded the longstanding relationship between the two universities.
“The University of Minnesota has a long-standing relationship with the University of the Western Cape going back to almost the founding days of UWC, partly in the science and research on crops and agriculture, but also with respect to the continued commitment to democracy, management, public administration, and government,” said Professor Myers.
The conference, offering in-person and virtual participation, brought together representatives from North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Guided by Ubuntu principles, it provided a platform to share research, ideas, and practical solutions to drive global change and equity.
Professor Madonsela's address served as a powerful reminder of the work that lay ahead. By highlighting the importance of restoring humanity - even among those who harm others - she challenged attendees to consider how deeply ingrained inequalities and prejudices can be dismantled through respect and restoration.
As the world grapples with systemic inequalities, the conference underscored the critical need for collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing.
UWC and its partners continue to play a pivotal role in fostering dialogues that not only address the problems but also pave the way for actionable solutions rooted in the timeless principles of Ubuntu.
