Leading political commentator, writer and academic Prof Pierre de Vos presents a talk entitled “’Taking risks, taking responsibility’: on whiteness and full citizenship under the South African Constitution”, on 19 April 2012, as part of GIPCA’s Great Texts/Big Questions series.
Prof De Vos’s talk will engage with an article published by Rhodes University philosopher Samantha Vice entitled “How do I live in this Strange Place”, in which she reflects critically and sensitively on what it is to be white in a country like South Africa and how white people should live in this country – the “strange place” of her title.
The talk will explore ways in which South Africans can engage in an ethically responsible manner with the many complex issues faced by the country without trying to erase the past and the effects of that past that lingers still. Vice’s approach of working on the self to become a better person that feels appropriate shame for being white and being part of a system that has benefited one, and of turning away from an engagement with the political reality of South Africa; is both problematic and inadequate, argues De Vos. Relying on the concept of active citizenship, the talk will pose questions about the responsibility of white South Africans in particular to become ethically attuned citizens engaged in the difficult work of building a better society.
Prof Pierre de Vos, a widely respected authority in his field, holds the Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Constitutional Governance in the Department of Public Law at the University of Cape Town, where he teaches Constitutional Law. He has published widely in academic journals on a wide range of topics including affirmative action and equality, sexual orientation discrimination and the enforcement of social and economic rights. He writes a regular and widely read Blog called Constitutionally Speaking and is the chairperson of the Board of the Aids Legal Network, an NGO promoting a human rights approach to dealing with HIV and Aids.
This event will take place at Hiddingh Hall, University of Cape Town (UCT) Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Cape Town on Thursday 19 April at 17:30 and entrance is free. Refreshments will be served from 17:00. No Booking is necessary. For more information on the series, please contact 021 480 7156 or fin-gipca@uct.ac.za.
Author: Fiona Gordon
Website: http://www.gipca.uct.ac.za
