Corrections facilities are supposed to help rehabilitate offenders. However, during apartheid, South Africa’s correctional system was a pillar of the repressive, discriminatory laws. It was used to punish those – mainly the black majority – perceived to be a threat to the white minority regime. Read more
Africa’s position in the global knowledge production ecosystem needs to change significantly. African knowledge systems, languages, knowledge actors and institutions must take their rightful place in global thought processes. Even more critical is the central place that such repositioning is bound to have in upholding African dignity. In this essay, we argue that the current global ecosystem of knowledge production exhibits multiple layers of injustices and inequities entrenched in its orientations, institutions, policy and legal frameworks and practices. Read more
Transactional sex – the exchange of consensual sex for material support like gifts, money or food – occurs on university campuses in many parts of the world. South Africa is no exception. Some scholars have highlighted the importance of understanding transactional sexual relationships beyond seeing it only (or mostly) as a way for young women to mitigate poverty, or because they want to enjoy the advantages of what is perceived as an elite and glamorous lifestyle. It’s more complicated than that. Read more
Attended by South African students and emerging scholars from Unisa, the Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair recently hosted the Oprah Winfrey Morehouse fellows from the United States of America, marking the first of such student-focused education and cultural exchange event hosted by the Research Chair since its inception in 2021. Read more
Amma Darko is one of Ghana’s leading novelists, known for exploring gritty social issues and the lives of women. There is much to be unearthed in the childhood narrative of deprivation and danger that she tackles in her 2003 work Faceless Faceless is the story of an investigation into the death of a young girl called Baby T, a child sex worker whose naked body is found dumped behind a marketplace, beaten and mutilated. Read more
Prof Puleng Segalo has recently earned two appointments, namely, the 2023 African Affiliate Fellow by the Kansas African Studies Center (University of Kansas, US) and the 2023 Research Associate by the Institute of African Studies (University of Ghana). Read more
In our contribution to peace we are resolved to end such evils as oppression, white supremacy and race discrimination, all of which are incompatible with world peace and security. There is indeed a threat to peace.” — excerpt from Inkosi Albert Luthuli’s Nobel peace prize acceptance speech in 1961 Read more
Prof Puleng Segalo was recently honoured with a traditional ceremony at the grave of Chief Albert Luthuli, further solidifying a remarkable partnership. Read more
In the second of a series of seminars honouring the late teacher, activist and politician, the spotlight fell on Chief Albert Luthuli’s less-examined philosophy on gender justice. Read more
Presented by the Unisa Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair, the inaugural lecture of a three-part seminar series honouring the late teacher, activist and politician was themed "Invoking the spirit of Chief Albert Luthuli: The importance of cultural diplomacy". Read more