Professor Thuli Madonsela. | Henk Kruger/ Independent Newspapers
Much of the focus throughout 2024 has been the May elections and their outcome. The lead-up to the election was highly anticipated, with many citizens anxious about what turned out to be one of the most contested elections since 1994. We then had to come to terms with a new system of leadership where power was shared among South Africa's political opponents, who had to find a way to "get along."
This was not easy and reminiscent of 1994 when we made our first foray into a new political future. South Africa embarked on an exciting adventure in 1994 and is on the cusp of a similar journey with the current Government of National Unity (GNU).
Thirty years into democracy, South Africa finds itself at a precipice marked by growing social and economic disparities along the contours of past legalised injustices exacerbated by service delivery failures that leave those unable to procure private alternatives destitute.
Amid increasing racial, gender and nationality polarisation, among others, there is a palpable hunger for meaningful freedom, a deafening cry for social justice and a growing trust deficit regarding democratic institutions. The 2024 elections laid bare the fact that those that feel left behind are no longer prepared to tolerate the status quo, raising concerns of radicalisation and attractiveness of political entrepreneurship that may undermine intentional rule of law anchored transformative governance.
Geopolitical and health challenges
Additionally, there are wars and rumours of a future war that further threaten global peace and justice while climate change remains a global emergency as the world continues to battle the Covid-19 aftermath. In times like this, ethical leaders anchored in a paradigm of “justice beyond just us” need to rise for transformative action as anti-apartheid leaders such as Dr Chota Motala did in their time.
The 2024 Chota Motala Lecture titled, The time is now to serve humanity – a social justice perspective, seeks to deep dive into what ails South Africa and what can South Africa’s people, from all walks of life, do to reclaim the constitutional vision and heal the divisions.
Prof Thuli Madonsela | Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) speaking at the Dr Chota Matola Memorial Lecture organised and hosted by MANCOSA.
***The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media or IOL.***
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