An initiative to bring together passionate South Africans who are driven to find innovative solutions through dialogue around: The Future South Africa We Want and Deserve, will take place at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Hotel School, Ritson Campus on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.
The panel will feature social activist Jay Naidoo, who will participate virtually from Canada, as well as academics and prominent business leaders from Kwazulu-Natal. This forms part of an ongoing discussion to stimulate dialogue around democracy and citizenship at tertiary institutions nationwide.
The first discussion took place at the University of Johannesburg on 4 July 2024.
With Naidoo delivering the opening address, the panel is made up of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Mangosuthu University of Technology, Prof Nokuthula Sibiya, Editor and founder of IsiZulu’s online financial publication Umbele, Slindile Khanyile, and the inspirational transformation leader and the Managing Director of PetroCONNECT, Mr Sbonelo Mbatha.
Moderated by leadership coach and media executive Vasantha Angamuthu, the session at DUT will involve leaders determined to help the nation understand where everyone comes from in the past three decades and what would typify the future.
Questions that will be probed would be focused on what future in South Africa do people wish for? What type of government would get people there? What lessons can one take from 30 years of democracy to build the future one wants? Last but not least, on amplifying the voice of civil society in reshaping the future.
The first session will be overseen by journalist, Vasantha Angamuthu, a former CEO of two major South African media companies, who had covered South Africa’s transition to democracy and Nelson Mandela’s presidency.
Coming just over 100 days since the Government of National Unity installation, the dialogue is timeous in that it seeks to unpack the key characteristics needed to become a winning nation.
Aimed at enhancing democracy and helping amplify the voices of citizens, academics, and civil society, the panel features South Africans who are credible in different fields (business, academia, economy, civil society, and media).
They will share their views on what would help South Africa move from the foundation of apartheid to democracy and become a nation that delivers for its people. Similar dialogues are planned for the University of Western Cape, the Vaal University of Technology and Nelson Mandela University to deepen democracy.
This initiative takes on greater significance following the 2024 elections, in which 27 million voters registered to vote. However, only 16 million South Africans participated in the poll, indicating the importance of deepening South Africa’s democracy. According to the data received on the 2024 elections, more than 11 million youth registered, but the actual votes were low.
Prof Vincent Maphai, Chancellor of the Central University of Technology, indicated that the election results sent a strong message to political parties, stressing that South Africa needs an active civil society.
Tessa Dooms, Director of the Rivonia Circle, said in the 80s and 90s, activist communities, in the absence of having a government, had to become governments themselves in a move towards a new society. Society needs to become organised, mobilised and conscientised.
She said when people gather, they talk about positional and programmatic politics, not political ideas. “As we think about the future of this country, we need to start to listen to what people are experiencing. What do we envision, and is the vision the same?”
Author and podcaster Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh said he has mixed feelings about where the country is politically. He spoke about what voters did in the 2024 election – saying that voters sent a resounding message about accountability.
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Pictured: DUT Ritson campus
Article supplied by Edwin Naidu (Director: Higher Education Media Services)
