Stellenbosch prepares for a pivotal global anti-racism summit
Dr Wilhelm Verwoerd, a researcher on reconciliation and historical trauma, will be among the speakers in the upcoming global anti-racism summit to be held in Stellenbosch from 3 to 5 October. Dr Verwoerd offers unique perspectives on forgiveness and apology.
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In just a few weeks, from Friday, October 3,, until Sunday, October 5, global thought leaders, activists, and academics will gather in Stellenbosch for a global anti-racism summit.
The summit, organised by the Social Justice Agency, will delve into the social justice and racial healing landscape and assess its limitations through the lens of truth, trauma, and toll.
The agency was founded by social justice champion Edwin Cleophas six years ago.
“The Social Justice Agency is driven by two pillars. The first is advocacy and awareness campaigns on racism, social justice and everything to do with the dignity and humanity of our people.
“The second pillar is education, working with the youth and empowering communities through digital training, upliftment through arts,” he said.
International journalist and media communications lecturer Esther A. Armah will present her commentary on social justice issues at the upcoming global anti-racism summit to be held in Stellenbosch early next month.
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Mr Cleophas said the global anti-racism summit will serve as a pivotal moment to recalibrate efforts and set a new direction for global anti-racism and racial healing initiatives.
The conference, which has been in the making for two years, is the first of its kind in the country in 25 years, he said.
“The summit is built around developing a new blueprint on how we are going to deal with racism.
“We have international speakers coming to South Africa to speak to our strategy to deal with racism and white supremacist systems that have been keeping our people oppressed, denying them the basic dignity and humanity that all people deserve,” he said.
Author Resmaa Menakem, a pioneer in addressing racialised trauma who provides critical insights into racial healing will be speaking at the global anti-racism summit in Stellenbosch in October.
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Speakers include author Resmaa Menakem, a pioneer in addressing racialised trauma, international journalist Esther A. Armah, and Tshepo Madlingozi, a commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission.
They will be joined by Reverend Dr Benjamin Boswell, founder of Confronting Whiteness, known for promoting racial equality and Dr Robin DiAngelo, a leading voice in whiteness studies and critical discourse analysis.
Other thought leaders include Schalk W Van Heerden, pastor and co-founder of Betereinders, which promotes healthy racial relations and collaborative efforts for a better future, and Dr Wilhelm Verwoerd, a researcher on reconciliation and historical trauma.
Attendees can look forward to presentations from Professor Salim Vally, whose career is rooted anti-apartheid activism and research and Melissa Steyn, who is renowned for her work on whiteness and the Critical Diversity Literacy framework.
Dr Pedro Mzileni, a senior lecturer at the University of Zululand, whose research focuses on higher education, decolonisation, and African thought and Dante D King, a critical voice on race and racism in America are on the lineup too.
Schalk van Heerden, pastor and co-founder of Betereinders, an organisation promoting healthy racial relations and collaborative efforts for a better future, will be speaking at the upcoming global anti-racism summit.
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Mr Cleophas said the summit comes at a critical time, as there has been a “surge in white supremacy”.
“The (Donald) Trump administration and other white supremacist organisations are so emboldened that they are now more public, arrogant, and divisive. And it’s all based on trying to divide us as people, a nation, and the world.
“We’ve also seen all the racism incidents popping up in the country at the moment, and this is one of those key opportunities to talk about these issues, why it is still so prevalent, and what can we do as a collective to do better,” he said.
South African human rights commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi is among the lineup for the upcoming global anti-racism summit. Mr Madlingozi serves on the South African Human Rights Commission where he leads on anti-racism, education, and equality.
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Mr Cleophas said South Africa remains a beacon of hope to the rest of the world.
“We have to show that we will assist in fighting for social justice, inclusion, dignity, and humanity like we do for the people of Gaza, the Cape Flats – for all people fighting wars, injustice and oppression in this world," he said.
Mr Cleophas said the summit is for all people, especially those dealing with social justice, diversity, inclusion, and human dignity.
He also called on people in communities with a knack for justice initiatives, focusing on racism, inequality, gender-based violence, xenophobia, etc., to attend.
“Racism is one of the biggest problems that we have been dealing with for over 400 years in this country, and over 700 years globally. It is a global issue that’s why this is a global summit.
“It is for all people across the world that are interested in seeing a better future and world for all, where all people can live in peace with human dignity and justice without the fear of prosecution.
“This summit is for people who believe that such a world is possible,” he said.
For more information about the global anti-racism summit, email admin@thesja.org or visit www.thesocialjusticeagency.org/events.