media releases - International Peace Forum at Unisa

Inspired by the quest for lasting peace in Africa, the Rotary Club of Pretoria, Hatfield, and the Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa and Unisa’s College of Law joined resources to present an International Peace Forum with the theme ”Communities as Building Blocks for Global Peace”. The event will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday (7 May to 8 May) from 08:30 to 16:30 at the Kgorong Building, Unisa Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria.

The Keynote Speakers on 7 May will be the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, who will address the audience on the South African Foreign Policy of Ubuntu and Mr Martin Forsyth-Thompson, District Governor of Rotary International District 9400 who will give an overview of the Rotary International approach of “Peace through Service”. The 7 May programme will also include presentations by community leaders from the San community in the Northern Cape and Uganda and a launch of a new book by Nabudere and Velthuizen on “Restorative Justice in Africa: from trans-dimensional knowledge to a culture of harmony”.

On 8 May, Dr Mathole Motshekga, in his capacity as Head of the Kara Heritage Institute, will be the Keynote Speaker talking about cleansing as a prerequisite for peace, followed by scholars from the DRC, Ethiopia and South Africa who will address conflict resolution and peacekeeping in the African context.

This major event will be concluded by a farewell and cocktail function during which the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Unisa, Professor Mandla Makhanya will be honored by the Rotary Club of Pretoria Hatfield in the form of  a Paul Harris Fellowship for his exceptional contribution to higher education in Africa.

Enquiries and interview requests: Mr Makabongwe Khanyile (012) 429-8453 or 0833681469.

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