media releases - Race and Racism in South Africa

UNISA COLLOQUIUM ON RACISM
June 18th 2008

Unisa will be hosting a discussion forum on race and racism in South Africa on 18 June 2008. The event will be held in Unisa’s Senate Hall, 2nd level, Theo van Wijk Building, Main Campus, Preller Street, Muckleneuk.

Registration:

• 14:00 – 16:00 17 June 2008
• 07:30 - 08.30 18 June 2008.

Unisa’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nyameko Barney Pityana will give the opening address, which will be followed by structured panel discussions. Participants will be drawn from government, constitutional and statutory bodies, youth and students’ organizations, trade unions, NGOs, universities, and other stakeholder groups.

Racism is a dynamic and ever changing phenomenon, it is not static. It changes shape and form, and reproduces itself in different manifestations. It affects the social, cultural, economic, and all aspects of society.

This Colloquium is intended to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to share their experience on the current state of racism in the country. The colloquium is also intended to generate broad reflection and learning, drawing from these diverse experiences in order to identify strategies for combating it and providing effective remedies for its harmful impacts.

Participants will be requested to reflect on their particular contexts, and make focused inputs on:

1. Definition of racism: what is the definition as seen from your vantage point?
2. Manifestation: how does it show itself in different life situations on a day-to-day basis?
3. Implications: how does racism impact on your institution, organization, and society

Some of the outcomes from the Colloquium will be:

• Stimulating informed public debate and discourse
• A publication of the proceedings
• Generation of research and teaching directions
• Opening up of issue for further discussions

For further information please call Ms Pina Mphahlele at (012) 352- 4249 or mphahcm@unisa.ac.za

or

Prof Beatrice Mtala at 012 429 2552
or 082 902 6592 or PMtala@unisa.ac.za