media releases - Vavi to Deliver 7th Annual Safety, Peace and Human Rights Lectur

Zwelinzima Vavi, Cosatu General Secretary, is billed to deliver the 7^th Annual Safety, Peace and Human Rights Lecture on 17 October at 18:00 at the Constitution Hill, Braamfontein.  The Annual Lecture, hosted by Unisa’s Institute for Social and Health Sciences and sponsored by Professor Narend Baijnath (Pro Vice-Chancellor of Unisa), pays tribute to the legacies of the late Abdullah Omar, democratic South Africa’s first justice minister and Joe Moabi, who served on the first national executive of the Pan Africanist Congress.  Mr Moabi worked at the Institute for Social and Health Sciences from 1993 until his retirement in 2003.

The lecture series, initiated in 2006 as part of Unisa’s community outreach efforts, intends to draw attention to South Africa’s democratic gains and challenges.  The lecture serves as a call to citizens to remain constantly reflective and active in the democratic development of the country and the African continent as a whole.

This year’s lecture comes at a poignant moment when many of the country’s fault lines are under close scrutiny.  Racism, social inequalities, gender-based violence and poverty continue to mark South Africa’s democratic landscape.  Keynote speaker, Zwelinzima Vavi, noted for his independence and critical social commentary, will speak to Moral Citizenship in 21^st Century South Africa.  Professor Mohamed Seedat, Head of the Institute for Social and Health Sciences, pointed out the symbolic significance of holding the lecture at Constitution Hill.  He said “this year’s lecture is to be delivered by Mr Vavi, an outspoken democratic.  The lecture is to be delivered within the precincts of an institution that embodies guardianship of the constitution”.   Professor Seedat added “we expect that our invited speaker, Mr Vavi, will be inspirational and highlight the responsibilities of citizens and leaders alike”.

Mr Vavi follows in the footsteps of other dignitaries who have delivered keynote addresses within this annual lecture.  The inaugural lecture was delivered by former Chief Justice Pius Langa in 2006.  Other previous keynote speakers include former constitutional court judge Albie Sachs (2007), Elinor Sisulu (2008), leading journalist Ferial Haffajee (2009), author Chris van Wyk (2010), and social activist Zubeida Jaffar (2011).

Following the reflective tradition established by previous speakers this year’s lecture promises to draw extensive public attention and participation.  For further details readers may contact Ms Lyndsey Lourie at lourilc@unisa.ac.za .

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