Lord Michael Hastings’ lecture was a powerful meditation on the need for sacrifice as a deliberate choice rather than an imposed burden.

“Renewal and reconciliation must work for all, not just for those who have suffered. Sacrifice must be a choice. And that choice has to come from the conviction shared in common, the kind of nation you want to secure,” he said.

He drew upon global historical lessons and his personal work in social justice, emphasising the isolationist tendencies that plague both wealthy and struggling societies.

“The richer societies become, the more isolated and individualistic they become,” he said, pointing to a growing need for connectedness and collective responsibility.

The evening took on an even more poignant tone when Justice Sachs spoke, sharing his reflections on forgiveness, optimism, and the transformative power of interconnection.

“It had a special resonance for me,” he said.

“I met the man who put the bomb in my car through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. And that is something beautifully South African. The greatest right of all is not to be left alone — it is to connect with our fellow human beings.”

His words served as a reminder that justice is not just about retribution but about building a society where former enemies can stand together, not as adversaries but as co-creators of a shared future.

He referenced the case of Eugene de Kock, the former apartheid-era commander who was responsible for brutal acts of violence but later came forward to confess and seek redemption.

“He made his contribution in that way. He never could wipe out what he had done, but it was his sign, his commitment to a new reality,” said Hastings.

Lord Hastings expanded the discussion beyond South Africa, touching on the global challenges of misinformation, inequality, and societal polarisation. Citing a recent World Economic Forum report, he highlighted that “misinformation and disinformation are the number one risks affecting the world in 2025".