Rethinking Protest in a Constitutional Dispensation
South Africa has been described as the “protest capital of the world”. With 188% growth in protests over the last five years, numbering 3,542 in the period 2015/2016, the label is well deserved. By Prof NICK BINEDELL and MARIUS OOSTHUIZEN. In the past weeks, while students were hurling rocks at private security guards on our university campuses, a group of thoughtful leaders met at a conference hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection. They focused on the theme of “Seeking the Ethical Foundations of the South African Nation” with notable participants including Dr Reuel Khoza, Justice Albie Sachs, Sipho Pityana, Trevor Manuel and Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana. In the run-up to the event, co-leader of the MISTRA Ethics Project and master of ceremonies, Dr Iraj Abedian...