Unisa online - No shortcuts to diversity

When academia and media come together, from left: Prof Puleng Lenka Bula (Director: Vice-Principal Projects/Advisor to the Principal); Prof Mandla Makhanya; Thabiso Lehoko (News Anchor/Content Producer: SABC); Yvonne Kgame; Criselda Kananda (Metro FM talk show host); Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya and Chris Maroleng

Some may argue that the glare of racism is still too bright. Eighteen years of freedom and the concept of “diversity” is still questioned. Is it even understood, and if not, why? Is the “rainbow nation” a mere illusion? Unpacking diversity, arguing whether human consciousness exists and eliciting an honest conversation about racism and apartheid was the order of Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mandla Makhanya’s business breakfast roundtable discussion on 3 May 2012.

Diversity, or lack thereof, still dredges up feelings of repression and pain for many people in the post-1994 era and it seems conversations just aren’t enough. A mindset change is required. This is exactly what was brought to the table by the keynote speaker, Deputy Editor of City Press, Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya and the respondent, eNews Africa Editor, Chris Maroleng.

Questioning whether diversity is a dream misinterpreted, Moya pulled no punches, saying that we have very little to show when it comes to diversity in South Africa. “I believe in our quest to achieve a diverse society; we have taken shortcuts. This is a shame,” he said. Moya believes that just because a company, institution or organisation is headed by a black person or woman, this by no means equals diversity. “Diversity should be by thought and not by how one looks or one’s sex.” He emphasised that there is just no substitute for competence.

Naturally, the understanding and growth of diversity needs to start somewhere and Moya sees academic institutions as the pillars that can help the process evolve into what it should be. “Scholarship is dependent on aspects other than popular acclaim and we have to turn to academic institutions for a template,” he said.

Not discarding Moya’s views, but maintaining that diversity is not just a stupid notion, Maroleng laid down his cards with a firm hand. He expressed his belief that in a country like South Africa, where racial segregation was common, the transition to a more democratic system has been nothing short of remarkable. Maroleng takes umbrage at the fact that when many reflect on diversity, it’s often negative and on issues that divide the races. “Let us be grateful for the gains we have made and let us be thankful for the heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and diversity,” he earnestly pleaded.

Using the analogy that diversity is like a rainbow, Maroleng said that many just see it as an optical illusion and a fleeting dream. However, he believes that diversity is subject to different impressions and, like a rainbow, its visibility depends on where you stand.

Unearthing some of the many complexities and misunderstandings around diversity, Maroleng said that in South Africa there are not fights for supremacy, but fights to be heard. The challenge he put to South Africans is to “see diversity as a good we cannot live without as it’s an expression of true Africaness.”

Pulling no punches, Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya tackled the hot debate of diversity. Moya feels it’s a shame that many use shortcuts to achieve a diverse society.

Hitting back, Chris Maroleng maintains that diversity is not just a stupid notion reminding cynics who view the rainbow nation as an illusion, and said that its visibility depends entirely on where one stands.

The debate drew input from many different spheres, proving that diversity issues are the norm for many.

Stanley Bongwe, Director of The Diversity Institute (Pty) Ltd and author of 100 Lessons in Diversity captured the reality of it, saying that the need for society to adapt is far greater than we realise. Linking to his book, he shared how he challenged convention by taking the concept of diversity back to individuals and their psychology in relation to others, and then developing better insight into diversity issues.

Also sharing her personal experiences and perspective was Yvonne Kgame, Executive Editor of SABC TV Local Content. She believes that diversity is bigger than us and reaching a society that’s diverse and equal will take some doing. Kgame sees the start of this emanating from each individual.

In his opening address, Prof Makhanya shared his enthusiasm at Unisa’s forward-thinking approach in creating integral platforms such as this one.