Celebrating the Launch of The South African Handbook of Agency, Freedom and Justice: Citizens in Conversation

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The literary world recently welcomed a monumental contribution to South African discourse with the release of The South African Handbook of Agency, Freedom and Justice: Citizens in Conversation (Volumes 1, 2, and 3).

Edited by the esteemed late Professor Muxe Nkondo and UKZN’s Chancellor, Dr Reuel Khoza, the comprehensive collection aims to ignite critical conversations about the pressing challenges facing the nation.

Speaking at the highly anticipated launch held at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre, Professor Nana Poku, UKZN’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal and contributor to the handbook, eloquently outlined the over-arching themes of the book: agency, freedom and justice.

‘No country exemplifies the struggle for modern freedom more than this great country,’ said Poku. ‘Yet the word freedom is often used without reference to two further concepts - freedom from and freedom for. These are the principal contestations at the heart of human rights.’

Turning his gaze to the notion of justice, Poku said when reading the volumes, one got a sense that ‘justice is presented not as an end goal but as a continuous process to which we must all contribute our part.’

Reflecting on agency, Poku said the ‘basic premise of civic interaction requires there to be agency on the part of citizens, empowered not only to cast their vote but to actively challenge governments for accountability.

‘These books speak truth to power. They are designed to not only challenge the orthodoxy but to provoke deep reflection.

‘I’ve discovered that although under siege,’ said Poku, ‘many of the traditional values of Africa endure. The continent is more than the sum of the images we are subjected to - and this book, above all, exemplifies that indomitable spirit of the intensity of life, the vibrancy of hope, and the energy to shape the future for the better.’

Poku acknowledged Nkondo, who passed away just a few days before the book was published. ‘This book will stand the test of time as it is a tribute to not just his profound intellect but also his immeasurable contribution to civic politics. When you look at the vast corpus of his contribution across both the academy and society, it is clear that few can match his integrity and depth of intellectual pursuit.’

Khoza remarked that the handbook served as a vital resource for both leaders and citizens to address the challenges facing South Africa through actionable principles aimed at fostering justice and equity. ‘Intellectuals in this country often become armchair critics, waiting for people to commit all manner of travesties before they stridently move forward to castigate, when, in fact, we should be at the forefront of actively defining our country, our democracy in the image of the intelligentsia - not the pretenders who masquerade as leaders. This work is a composite challenge to that.’

Reflecting on the book’s journey, Khoza said it was conceptualised in 2022 after countless discussions between himself, Nkondo and several colleagues who were ‘deeply concerned about the disturbing trajectory of our nation. The concern was about the persistent challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality and gender-based violence in our country.’

He emphasised that the compendium’s purpose was not to be merely an academic exercise but rather a call to collective action and a tool for transformation.

Said Khoza: ‘It is a ‘testament to Prof Nkondo’s unwavering dedication to fostering a society where justice and freedom are realised through the active agency of its citizens.

‘This handbook serves as both a mirror and a compass. A mirror that reflects the harsh realities of our society, and a compass that offers practical guidance on how we can navigate towards a future where agency, freedom and justice are not just ideals, but lived experiences.’

Khoza paid tribute to Nkondo whose ‘intellectual rigour and unyielding commitment to justice were the driving forces behind the conceptualisation of this publication. Prof Nkondo was not just a scholar, he was a visionary who believed in the transformative power of ideas. He understood that books and the ideas that they contain are only as valuable as the conversations they spark.’

Khoza, a recognised thought-leader, thanked UKZN Press who, in less than 18 months, accomplished a feat that Judge Albie Sachs described as a ‘miracle.’ Khoza applauded UKZN Press’s Dr Phindile Dlamini and her team for the ‘diligent and professional work’ and paid tribute to all contributors to the three volumes.

Published by UKZN Press in partnership with the Sapience Strategy Foundation, The South African Handbook of Agency, Freedom and Justice: Citizens in Conversation brings together diverse perspectives from various sectors and offers insights and pragmatic solutions to foster a more equitable society. The volumes are available for purchase from UKZN Press and bookstores.

•    To view the extensive deliberations, tributes and reflections at the Durban book launch, visit the University’s YouTube channel.

Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini