A discussion to contribute to a review of the Constitution was recently hosted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) at Stellenbosch University (SU). The aim of the discussion was to produce a formal written submission to Parliament as part of their annual constitution review process.
This is according to Thembalethu Seyisi, the programme coordinator and researcher at the CSJ in SU’s law faculty. The event was hosted online on 22 May.
“The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss the adequacy of social justice progress in South Africa and to inform a policy brief regarding what to do to catalyse progress in areas where progress lags,” he said.
The CSJ submitted its formal written submission to Parliament on 30 May, said Seyisi.
SMF News attended the online forum which included speakers Professor Thuli Madonsela, director of the CSJ, Mmamoloko Kubayi, minister of justice and constitutional development and Albie Sachs, retired justice of the Constitutional Court.
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), the social justice research and training hub, emphasised the value of social justice in the Constitution during a recent online roundtable discussion attended by academics, policy makers, legal professionals and students. SMF News was in attendance. PHOTO: Hannah Abrahams
What is social justice?
Social justice is concerned with fairness between social groups in society and equitable distribution.
This is according to Prof Madonsela, who spoke with SMF News after the roundtable discussion.
“Over the years it has grown to where we are now where we believe social justice is a distributive concept about embracing the humanity of every person, regardless of difference, by ensuring equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms in society,” said Madonsela.
Social justice also has a solidarity element, said Madonsela.
She added that, at the CSJ, they want people to understand that social justice is not just about one group, but about fairness to all and is even more important now because inequality has grown in the world.
“We have to constantly see if [the Constitution] is adapted enough to meet evolving challenges,” said Professor Thuli Madonsela, director at the Centre for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University (SU). Left to right: Albie Sachs, retired justice of the Constitutional Court and Prof Madonsela. PHOTO: Hannah Abrahams
“[It is necessary to review the Constitution] to check if there are faults that we missed initially, but more importantly, life is evolving and different challenges come to society,” said Madonsela.
She added, however, that the Constitution does not have to change annually.
“It just means we have to constantly see if it’s adapted enough to meet evolving challenges,” said Madonsela.
A way to educate people
SMF News spoke with post-graduate LLB student, Katherine Burt-Robinson, about the importance of the CSJ at SU.
“I think that SU’s history of exclusion and the negative effect it once had on local communities makes the work of the Centre all the more important,” said Burt-Robinson.
“It’s a way to educate people and hopefully strive towards the kind of transformation envisioned in the Constitution,” she said.
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), the social justice research and training hub, emphasised the value of social justice in the Constitution during a recent online roundtable discussion. The event took place on 22 May. VIDEO: Hannah Abrahams