The University of Venda (UNIVEN) proudly commemorated Human Rights Day with an insightful public lecture addressing one of the most fundamental rights in any democratic society: The Right to Education. Organised by the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights of the Faculty of Management Commerce and Law (FMCL) and the Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication, the event was held at the UNIVEN Research Conference Centre on 18 March 2025. It brought together about 150 participants, including representatives of the South African Human Rights Commission, the Department of Education, Traditional Communities, Non-governmental Organisations, students, and staff members, to engage in a thought-provoking discussion led by an eminent scholar in the field of human rights Prof Tshepo Madlingozi, a full-time Commissioner with South African Human Rights Commission.
Prof Armstrong Kadyamatimba represented the Executive Dean of the FMCL, Prof Barwa Kanyane
The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law (FMCL), Prof Barwa Kanyane, was represented by Prof Armstrong Kadyamatimba, Deputy Dean of Research and Post Graduate Studies, who delivered welcome remarks, stressing the importance of commemorating the Human Rights Day in South Africa. The Deputy Dean acknowledged dis-tinguished guests and reflected on the significant contributions of the faculty to aca-demic excellence. Prof Kadyamatimba expressed that the faculty is pleased with the impressive role that the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples Rights is playing in advancing social justice and fostering the culture of human rights protection through its innovative programmes, advocacy and research, and its overall contributions to the progress of the Faculty of Management Commerce and Law and the overall strategic objectives of the University. He then commended the efforts of all to make the event a reality.
Prof Ademola Oluborode Jegede, Director of the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights
Prof Ademola Oluborode Jegede, Director of the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples Rights, introduced the guest speaker, Prof Tshepo Madlingozi, mentioning that he studied law and sociology in South Africa, Cameroon, and the United Kingdom. Before being appointed to the Commission, Prof Madlingozi was the Centre for Applied Legal Studies Director at WITS University and an Associate Professor at the same university where he taught human rights and social justice. In setting the stage for the Guest Speaker, Prof Jegede further noted that Human Rights Day holds significance not only for South Africa but also for the rest of Africa and, indeed, the world.
This is especially so in a season where the state of human rights had never been more concerning, and its relevance had never been more contested. Professor Jegede noted that the Guest Speaker is a perfect fit for an intellectual engagement with the focus of the topic on the right to education, an essential and core component of the human rights compass. He probed whether education for national building as a right compass. He probed whether education for national building as a right should be the national discourse, or a part of the national discourse or apart from it
Prof Tshepo Madlingozi, a Full-time South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Commissioner
In his lecture titled: The Right to Education and its Role in the Resolution of the National Question, Prof Tshepo Madlingozi rose to the occasion and expectations of the event. With his extensive experience in legal and social justice advocacy, Prof Madlingozi unpacked the critical importance of ensuring equitable access to quality education for all South Africans. He explained that education has a huge role in nation-building, and to ensure this, an academic must see himself first as a member of the community that must be served. Prof Madlingozi highlighted also the role of education in re-membering Africa. This term requires that education for students and scholars should mean identification with the masses and service to Africa. Re-membering Africa is key owing to cross-cutting issues which need to be resolved, including the problems of land dispossession, displacement, racial proletarianisation, cultural subjugation, the irruption of Western modernity and the severance of the cosmic harmony between the land, non-human beings and the onto-triadic community constituted by the living, the living-dead/continuing persons and the yet-to-be-born.
He also examined structural issues in South Africa’s education system, including infrastructure deficits, racial discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities. “Reports from different provinces reveal challenges such as inadequate school facilities, lack of scholar transport, pit latrines, and discrimination in schools based on race, culture, and sexual orientation,” he stressed. Prof Madlingozi said SAHRC’s efforts in addressing these concerns include launching investigations, advocating for policy reforms, and promoting diversity and equality through initiatives like the Model School Code of Conduct and the SHiNE campaign.
Additionally, his presentation highlighted broader human rights challenges, including the im-pact of the July 2021 unrest, ongoing racial discrimination, and the inefficiencies of Equali-ty Courts. He discussed SAHRC’s involvement in legal cases addressing hate speech and unfair discrimination and its role in monitoring and addressing systemic injustices in various sectors.
In all, the presentation by Commissioner, Prof Tshepo Madlingozi reinforced the critical role of education in addressing South Africa’s historical injustices and ongoing socio-eco-nomic challenges. His presentation emphasised that education should not be seen in iso-lation but as a tool for nation-building and community service, particularly for the black oppressed community. Prof Madlingozi’s discussion highlights the importance of edu-cation in reclaiming African identity, resisting cultural subjugation, and addressing sys-temic inequalities stemming from colonialism and apartheid. The overall message calls for a reimagined education system and legal framework that actively contributes to so-cial justice, equality, and the recognition of human dignity in post-apartheid South Africa.
The lecture was followed by an engaging panel discussion where students, facul-ty members, and community stakeholders posed questions and shared their perspec-tives. A common theme in the discussions was the pressing need for government in-tervention to address infrastructural and resource disparities, especially in rural areas
Ms Zama Mopai, Department of Public Law Lecturer, expressed gratitude for the in-sightful discussions and reflections on human rights. Ms Mopai highlighted key take-aways, including the importance of recognising both achievements and challenges in hu-man rights, the role of academic institutions in dismantling historical injustices, and the communal versus individualistic perspectives on rights. She also raised thought-pro-voking questions, such as the issue of “retail racism.” She appreciated the contributions of speakers, panellists, and participants, ensuring a meaningful and engaging session.
UNIVEN remains dedicated to producing graduates who are not only local-ly relevant but also globally competitive. As the nation grapples with the com-plexities of educational reform, institutions like UNIVEN serve as beacons of hope in fostering a brighter, more inclusive future for all South Africans.
On the photo: the guest speaker, fourth from right, poses for a photo with some faculty members and external stakeholders.
Some of the staff members, guests and participants, pose for a photo with the Guest Prof Madlingosi (fourth from left)
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
