Mogoeng says nation should adopt Nelson Mandela value system

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, in the prelude to the 17th edition of the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture (NMAL) in Soweto, on Saturday 23 November 2019, said the nation needs to adopt a Madiba-type constitutional value system, in order to deal with corruption, racism and gender-based violence. 

The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Series invites prominent people to drive debate on significant social issues. The lecture series is an important event on the Foundation’s calendar, and encourages people to enter into dialogue – often about difficult subjects, in order to address the challenges we face today.

Prelude to Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture

In the prelude to the lecture, Mogoeng had a discussion with the chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, as reported by SABC News.

Ndebele spoke of the need to treat the constitution as an activist document, which has the capacity to galvanize South Africans’ collective energies. He gave an example of the country’s Rugby World Cup wins dating back to 1995.

“I think that you can agree our perspective to the World Cup victory is very different. Anything that can contribute to a collective sense of purpose will help us. The constitution is at the centre of it all because it is clear what each of us has to do,” said Ndebele.

Confront that which afflicts society, says Mogoeng

Mogoeng has called on South Africans to be more vocal against the wrong-doings of their leaders and officials. Mogoeng spoke about the need to confront what he describes as the ailments of corruption, racism, tribalism and gender-based violence that afflict society. To this end, we would have a Nelson Mandela-type constitution.

“Each and every one of us has a responsibility to contribute towards the realisation of our shared aspirations because when you do, you are killing the disease. Madiba’s vision gave birth to the challenges that we have today. We have to confront them so this mind your business approach explains where we are,” said Mogoeng.

Mogoeng says the social ills that have plagued society are a result of men and women of goodwill, turning a blind eye and going against what Nelson Mandela instilled in the country.

“Our struggle, our constitution, our challenges are all about the need to secure justice for the people of South Africa and you can’t talk justice and not talk about racism, you can’t talk justice and not about the land. You have to dwell deep and identify the dynamics below that which you are articulating,” added Mogoeng.

Mogoeng further reiterated and said at the lecture on Saturday 23 November: “I believe those who genuinely care about fellow human beings will ceaselessly drink from Madiba’s well of wisdom-laden and ethical leadership” 

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng on the 17th Nelson Mandela annual Lecture "I believe those who genuinely care about fellow human beings will ceaselessly drink from Madiba’s well of wisdom-laden and ethical leadership" #NMAL2019

— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) November 23, 2019