The event is hosted by the Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership in the Faculty of Humanities at the Nelson Mandela University in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme in South Africa. It takes place on Thursday, 8 August 2024 at 15:30 at the Business School in Second Avenue, Summerstrand and will be streamed live on the University’s Youtube channel.
The discussion will also feature Stellenbosch University economist, Nthabiseng Moleko, speaker, Phapano Phasha, and masters’ student Taryn Jade Benardè.
The event seeks to realise the strategy to revitalize the humanities and position the university as an African university.
“The country has undergone its most consequential elections in the democratic period. As a faculty that hosts key departments that study politics, society, and economy, it is our duty to lead pioneering research and engagement for a better world,” said the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Pamela Maseko.
The UNDP’s Bongani Matomela said: “The event forms part of initiatives aimed at facilitating debate throughout the country ahead of the much talked about national dialogue to enable the national rebuilding process we envisage to take place.”
The inputs made by the panel will be consolidated into a report that the Centre will produce and contribute to the national dialogue process. The broad range of issues raised by the panel, the points of divergence and convergence, as well as policy and programmatic ideas will be captured for various stakeholders to take note.
The selected speakers have featured in various media platforms before and after the elections and have voiced very strong opinions about what needs to happen to get South Africa moving forward. Mabandla’s book titled Soul of the Nation was launched this year and it tackles crucial topics aimed at getting South Africa back to basics.
Sikhakhane and Phasha have featured on popular podcasts discussing in detail the shortcomings of the political settlement when it comes to achieving the ultimate objectives of a truly inclusive country.
Moleko has led various initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable and include economic development trajectory in the country. Moroga has researched the centrality of Eskom in the
industrial policy of the country and links between effective political leadership and industrial development and Bernadi’s masters work is looking into artistic representations of political trends in South Africa.