How can the South African government and its laws be challenged and held accountable for homophobic abuse, violence and stigma from the state and its citizens in a democracy? This public lecture, with Pierre de Vos, commemorates national Human Rights Day and engages with this critical question.
Pierre de Vos is the Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Constitutional Governance at the University of Cape Town (UCT) who specialises in Constitutional Law and Governance. Vos has published several articles on sexual orientation discrimination and same-sex marriage, the enforcement of socio-economic rights, HIV/AIDS, the construction of race and racial discrimination and other human rights issues in South Africa. He is a regular media commentator on South African law and its judiciary.
He was also approvingly quoted in the South African Constitutional Court judgment which legalised same-sex marriage in South Africa entitled Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie. In 1994 he published a novel in Afrikaans titled Slegs Blankes/Whites Only. The novel told the story of a young Afrikaans man coming to terms his own sexuality and with the fact that his father was a member of an apartheid hit squad.
#cocreateSA is a platform for South African and Dutch counterparts to exchange ideas and innovations for a sustainable future. It stimulates collaboration between South Africa and the Netherlands based on the belief that if we work together, we can make a difference and co-create solutions for local challenges. #cocreateSA is an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa, capturing the true essence of modern foreign diplomacy: building relationships first, putting the demand at the core of our discussions and focusing on long-term commitments and partnerships.
This event is free but RSVP is required. Please email Sakhisizwe Gcina on sakhisizwe.gcina@zeitzmocaa.museum to secure your seat.
Image courtesy of Aaliyah Tshabalala.