‘We have to talk to each other if we want lasting peace’
scroll down
Human Rights Month is from 1 to 31 March and Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March. The year 2016 is an especially important milestone for human rights in South Africa as it marks the 20th anniversary of the South African Constitution.
“Informal dialogue often has more value than public debates.”
Willie is known for, among others, the pivotal role he played in facilitating and maintaining dialogue between the ANC and the previous government to end apartheid and create a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa. “Forgive and forget does not work in South Africa; we have to remember and forgive if we want lasting peace,” he said during the public lecture in Potchefstroom.
The NWU in partnership with the national Department of Arts and Culture celebrated Human Rights Month with a special lecture by renowned academic and writer, Prof Willie Esterhuyse.
The public lecture was held on 15 March at the synod hall in Potchefstroom and the message in Willie’s lecture was: “We have to engage in meaningful dialogue if we want lasting peace in South Africa.” He said it is the most effective way to bridge the distrust, social distance and economic divisions created by apartheid.
Elements for lasting peace
Willie says peace is only sound if a country has an acceptable quality of life for all its citizens. A key element of this is also tolerance. “I do believe however that we have made a lot of progress thanks to our constitution and the social bond between different cultures and races.
“Recent research from the Institute for Race Relations show that 54% of people in South Africa believe that race relations have improved. This is very encouraging.”
Engage in dialogue
Willie says he refuses to attach a label of racism to any of the South African population groups. “The NWU should also not allow labelling to happen within university ranks.”
On the issue of language, he said he does not accept that language as such can be repressive; it is the speakers of a language that can be repressive.
“It is now more important than ever for citizens in South Africa to create social cohesion through intercultural contact. We have to talk to each other about the issues that affect us all. I believe it is especially in small groups that we can all start to make a difference and breed better understanding.”
Willie has received numerous awards, including the Stals Prize for Philosophy from the South African Academy of Arts and Science and the Sunday Times Prestige Prize for political literature.
scroll down
