KAGISO MOROATSHEHLA & SEYABONGA THIPE
In collaboration with the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Unisa hosted the prestigious Dr John Langalibalele Dube Annual Public Lecture on September 6 at the Southern Sun, Elangeni Hotel in Durban.
Chaired by Professor Puleng Segalo, this year's lecture was themed "Community engagement and collaboration: Fostering active participation and teamwork within communities to tackle challenges and drive positive change".
The lecture highlighted Dube's enduring vision of collective empowerment and active participation in overcoming societal challenges.
The event featured keynote speaker, Faith Khanyile, a renowned business mogul and advocate for women's empowerment, along with esteemed guests, including the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Thami Ntuli, and Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
In her welcoming address, LenkaBula highlighted the profound legacy of Dr John Langalibalele Dube, fondly known as uMafukuzela.
She celebrated Dube as a founding figure of the ANC and an educator and community builder deeply committed to youth empowerment and education. His establishment of the Ohlange Institute, which continues to be a pillar of education, is a testament to his lifelong dedication to uplifting others.
LenkaBula emphasised the importance of the annual lecture as a pivotal event for Unisa, offering a platform to reflect on South Africa's history, culture and future. She urged attendees to engage in meaningful dialogue and critical thinking, reminding them of their roles as carriers of Dube's vision for a united and empowered Africa.
Drawing on a 1946 tribute to Dube, she noted his universal appeal and ability to transcend racial and social barriers, underscoring his enduring influence across diverse communities.
LenkaBula challenged contemporary leaders and youth to actively engage with Dube's philosophies, especially as South Africa marks three decades of freedom and democracy. She posed thought-provoking questions on how the current generation can honour and advance Dube's legacy, calling for a renewed commitment to social justice, equality and the upliftment of marginalised communities.
General Sibusiso Ngubane, the deputy director, delivered a compelling message on behalf of the Ntuli.
Ngubane highlighted the strategic partnership between the province and Unisa. He applauded the university's crucial role in human resource development and its commitment to fostering knowledge and innovation to address socio-economic challenges.
He emphasised that the Annual Dube Lecture is essential for inspiring ethical leadership and aligning efforts toward creating a developmental state. Ngubane praised Unisa's dedication to professionalising public service and nurturing social change agents, stressing that education is deeply intertwined with community struggles.
He honoured Dube as a pioneering leader who balanced faith and freedom advocacy, and he underscored the lecture's role in inspiring future leaders to continue Dube's legacy of racial equality, justice and African unity - values that remain vital in confronting systemic injustices.
Ngubane emphasised the importance of collaboration between universities, government and other stakeholders in advancing education and capacity building. He attributed Dube's enduring impact on South Africa's social justice and equality journey, urging all to reflect on the ongoing work needed to uphold these ideals.
Khanyile, a prominent director of companies and entrepreneur, delivered an inspiring keynote address that celebrated Dube as a visionary leader who rose from humble beginnings to become a towering figure in South Africa's intellectual and cultural history.
Dube wore many hats - essayist, philosopher, educator, politician, publisher and more - each reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence and empowerment. Khanyile highlighted Dube's philosophy of uplifting others, encapsulated in his famous words: "If you want to uplift yourself, uplift someone else".
This belief drove him to establish Ohlange High School in 1900, a groundbreaking effort to empower communities through education. Beyond his educational endeavours, Dube was also a farmer, community leader, evangelist and a staunch advocate for political freedom.
He served as the founding president of the South African Native National Congress, which later evolved into the ANC. His leadership was deeply rooted in the principles of collective action, community involvement and religious values, which he saw as essential to achieving political freedom.
Khanyile also underscored Dube's significant contributions to political and cultural life. Dube's belief in education as a tool for liberation left a lasting legacy. This influence was poignantly symbolised in 1994 when Nelson Mandela chose to cast his first democratic vote at Ohlange High School, the very institution founded by Dube.
Mandela's tribute to Dube after voting underscored the deep connection between Dube's lifelong fight for freedom and the realisation of that freedom in South Africa's first democratic elections.
Khanyile highlighted that the lecture's theme resonated deeply with Dube's legacy, who believed that progress could only be achieved through the active participation of every community member. In her address, Khanyile emphasised that Dube's commitment to collaboration as a means to overcome shared challenges is as relevant today as it was in his time. She noted that facing contemporary issues like unemployment, economic inequality and social injustice requires the same spirit of unity and cooperation that Dube championed.
Khanyile also reflected on the significance of Durban, a city closely connected to Dube's legacy, reminding attendees that education remains one of the most powerful tools for transformation. She cited statistics showing that unemployment rates are significantly lower among individuals with higher education, highlighting the critical need for investment in education to tackle the nation's current challenges. Drawing on Dube's belief in collective action, Khanyile urged the audience to move beyond mere discussions and take concrete steps toward achieving positive change in their communities. She encouraged everyone to embody Dube's ethos by actively participating in efforts that uplift and empower those around them, reinforcing that real progress is driven by collective commitment and action.
Following the keynote address, a discussion was led by Sonta Ngcobo, owner of Skhanda Consulting & Projects, who reflected on the points raised by Faith Khanyile. He agreed with the speaker's insights about uBaba Dube, affirming the significance of Dube's legacy in today's context.
Ngcobo emphasised the enduring impact of Dube's vision and the importance of continuing his work through community engagement and education. Additionally, Langa Dube, the grandson of Dube, delivered heartfelt remarks, expressing gratitude to the university for organising such an initiative to honour his grandfather's memory and legacy. He praised Unisa's efforts to keep Dr Dube's contributions alive, acknowledging the importance of such platforms in celebrating and reflecting on his life's work.
The session concluded with a dynamic questions and answers segment, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers.
This interactive portion allowed for deeper discussions on the lecture's theme and the continued relevance of Dube's philosophies in addressing today's societal challenges. The exchange of ideas underscored the collective commitment to advancing the legacy of Dube and inspired attendees to take actionable steps in their own communities.