Justice Sisi Khampepe, a renowned jurist, has urged the younger generation to actively shape democracy and make its promises tangible in the daily lives of South Africans. She made the call after receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg. Justice Khampepe emphasized that her generation's task was to help dismantle an unjust political order and lay the foundation of a constitutional democracy. The graduates' role, she said, is to make the promise of democracy real in the daily lives of South Africans.
Justice Khampepe's journey began in Soweto, where she was born in 1957. She is one of the first Black South African women to graduate from Harvard Law School, earning her LLM in 1982. Her experiences abroad inspired her to engage with the socio-political landscape upon her return to South Africa. Justice Khampepe stated that apolitical systems are made by human beings and can be unmade, emphasizing that once you have seen that another identity is possible, it becomes much harder to accept the claim that the present is permanent.
Justice Khampepe's esteemed legal career gained national prominence when the late former president, Nelson Mandela, appointed her as a commissioner to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. Her role required immense integrity and compassion as the country navigated its painful past. She acknowledged that while significant strides have been made towards justice, systemic issues continue to plague South Africa, presenting unique challenges for the new graduates.
Justice Khampepe warned the graduates that they enter a societal landscape rife with high unemployment, systemic inequality, and climate crises. She emphasized that optimism alone cannot solve these problems and that individual agency is crucial amidst structural inequalities. Her call to action highlighted the importance of engaging with their communities and becoming catalysts for change.
Upon receiving the honorary doctorate, Justice Khampepe expressed her heartfelt gratitude, describing it as a meaningful recognition that she will cherish. UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, lauded her contributions to democracy, praising her legacy of integrity and community engagement that aligns deeply with the university's values.
This year, UJ conferred honorary doctorates on a distinguished group of individuals, including Her Excellency Monica Geingos, former Springbok Captain Francois Pienaar, global human rights activist Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, literary and academic leader Professor Njabulo Ndebele, and Chartered Accountant and financial leader Tryphosa Ramano. These individuals exemplify outstanding contributions to society.
The University of Johannesburg's recognition of Justice Khampepe's contributions serves as a testament to her dedication to democracy and community engagement. Her message to the graduates emphasizes the importance of actively shaping democracy and making its promises tangible in the daily lives of South Africans.
Key points
- Justice Khampepe calls on graduates to make democracy a reality in South Africa
- She emphasizes individual agency amidst structural inequalities
- Justice Khampepe receives honorary doctorate from University of Johannesburg
