Heritage Day

Diversity in 2015

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The idea behind diversity includes Inviting people from different cultures, religions and language communities to share your customs. To share and exchange differing world views, and part take in robust debate on the matters on the day – without force, or inflicting harm against the person of another. Ideally.

The year 2015 in particular has been a melting pot for diversity, and diversity matters. Considering that diversity is not a stand-alone concept, it is always intertwined with other concepts and values.

There has been various dialogue around diversity in the workplace (which is tied in with the gender equality debate), dialogue around diversity in sporting codes and as recently displayed in universities around South Africa, diversity and inclusivity of different races in institutions of higher learning.

However, and more importantly what we have taken from this melting pot is the buzz. The conversation, there is an emerging culture of participatory dialogue. Which is essential for a young democracy, by and large an indication of the positive strides we are taking as a nation. According to a KPMG press release on gender diversity, South Africa can influence gender diversity on corporate boards worldwide. Already, it seems as if South Africa is at the forefront of pioneering the diversity movement and actually setting the trend forward.

This is good news South Africa.

It is apparent that in post-Apartheid South Africa, with the advent of the Constitution, constitutional framework and various governmental policies including corporates who have embraced diversity, the older and younger generation have found a modern approach in expressing themselves through their diversity.

Diversity is a broad, engaging concept one that we would in future like to discuss further, yet for now we note the buzz. We see the influence, and we welcome it.

*South Africa can influence gender diversity on corporate boards worldwide –

To be South African, Celebrating our heroes

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To start off our celebratory piece, we thought we’d refresh our memories to one of our Legal Education Centre’s very own hero, Dr G.M Pitje the first director of the centre. For your convenience we’ve attached a link on a laudatory piece in honour of the late figurehead in the legal profession. He set the tone for many black legal practitioners and left us with invaluable lessons.

Ours is a very beautiful country, historically rich and brimming with talent, and diversity – to name but a few. The spirit of September is one that embodies rebirth, hope and rejuvenated energy. A hope we sometimes forget when faced with tough times, hence the need for heroes.
Everybody is a hero in their own right, we are all capable. Here a few of our South African greats in no particular order:

The late Nkosi Johnson – for inspiring a nation, showing that age is never a factor when it comes to bravery and leadership.

Justice Pius Langa – The late Justice dedicated his life to transformation in the legal profession a stellar human rights jurist too, he was also known as the lawyer who defended freedom fighters.

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – for her phenomenal, exemplary work as Chairperson of the African Union, representing Africans far and near.

Lady Smith Black Mambazo – for staying true to their heritage and breaking international boundaries, showing how art can act as a uniting force.
The countless women who marched on that fateful day of August 9 1956 – ushering a new dawn for the nationwide recognition of women’s rights and their liberties.

Khanyi Dhlomo – Founding partner of Ndalo media, which creates diversified content for the black market.

This brief list does not do justice to the countless stellar heroes this country has, however we hope that it sets the tone forward for acknowledgement. We should all strive to be great South Africans. It starts with simple actions, active citizenry and always availing oneself to learning.

* Dr G.M Pitje link: