Chief Albert Luthuli’s Lessons Remain Relevant 30 Years into Democracy

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal, in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Luthuli Foundation and the Luthuli Museum, hosted the 18^th Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture at the University’s MH Joosub Hall on 12 October.

Themed, “The Pursuit of Peace: Lessons from Chief Albert Luthuli”, the lecture remembered and honoured the icon’s teachings and quest for peace in South Africa and the world.

A global icon for peace, Chief Albert Luthuli was elected the President General of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1952, a position he held until his untimely death on 21 July 1967. He was awarded the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize in Norway in 1961 for his outstanding efforts to secure political freedom in apartheid South Africa.

Facilitated and directed by seasoned broadcaster Mr Peter Ndoro, the event was attended by, among others, the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Mr Ronald Lamola; Deputy Director General in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Vusithemba Ndima; members of UKZN’s Executive Management; UKZN’s International Relations Programme Co-ordinator, Dr Sakhile Hadebe; Chair of the Luthuli Museum Council, Professor Mxolisi Mchunu; Luthuli family members; Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair, Professor Puleng Segalo; members of the University community; staff from the Luthuli Museum; and Groutville community members.

In his welcome address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize said the University is proud to host the lecture, which speaks to its dedication to peace-building and development. He said UKZN values its ongoing partnership with the Luthuli Museum, a relationship that honours the legacy of Inkosi Albert Luthuli, a true son of the African soil.

Mkhize added that the lecture occurred at a crucial moment as tensions continue to escalate in various parts of the world. ‘Airstrikes, missile launches, and ongoing violence are placing peace further out of reach in many regions, with devastating effects on millions of people, including women and children. The human toll of these conflicts is immense, and the urgency for dialogue and resolution has never been more pressing.

‘By addressing and removing conflict, we can pave the way for Africa to thrive and fulfil its promise. This lecture, which focused on the pursuit of peace, is an essential contribution to broader efforts aimed at bringing stability to conflict-ridden regions on the continent and around the world.’

Mchunu reflected on Luthuli and other South African great leaders’ contributions in their philosophy and practice of peace, leaving an indelible mark on the global movement for peace, justice and human rights. He said the lecture provides an opportunity for the lessons learnt from Luthuli’s pursuit for peace.

‘Luthuli believed peace cannot exist without addressing the root causes of inequality, oppression and injustice. He believed that everyone must work for peace. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, equality and human rights, compassion and a sense of conscience,’ said Mchunu.

Ndima said the lecture not only provides an opportunity for the public at large to reflect on the legacy of Luthuli and where we come from as a country, but also to reflect on the collaborations and partnerships between people and institutions in achieving a common goal. ‘This memorial lecture offers an opportunity for us to rekindle and reignite our commitment to fight and stand for what they believed and died for, and that is a better, peaceful South Africa, Africa and the world.’

Keynote speaker and Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Lamola, said Luthuli emerged as a leader during a time of unprecedented change in the world, and was subjected to violence, imprisonment and abuse by the apartheid government. He described Luthuli as a ‘servant leader whose leadership characteristics revealed that he was there to serve his people, not himself. He was a humble, principled man who was fixed in his demand for equity and peace.

‘It was remarkable, as I prepared this commemoration of the life and times of Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli, how the speeches and councils he shared with us more than 80 years ago are still applicable 30 years after the defeat of apartheid through a negotiated settlement. He is a teacher even in death.’

Lamola, who reflected on and quoted Luthuli’s acceptance speech when he received the Noble Peace Prize, said, ‘When Nelson Mandela said the world cannot be free when the people of Palestine and western Sahara are not free, he took a leaf from Albert Luthuli.’

He added that when South Africa filed charges against Israel for committing genocide against Gaza and the people of Palestine in 2023, the country took Luthuli’s ordinance to its logical conclusion.

‘The assertion in his [Luthuli’s] acceptance speech that he accepted the award as “a recognition of the sacrifice made by many of all races particularly the Africans of South Africa”, was both instructive to those who are fighting for liberation and all the African diaspora, and many countries on the African continent that supported the struggle for the liberation of our country.’

Lamola said Luthuli implored us never to take our eye off social cohesion and build a nation.

Noting that there is indeed a threat to peace in the world today, Lamola said that 30 years later, the government finds itself calling on all South Africans to work together for social harmony and unity, end racial divisions and build one nation. ‘When Luthuli described us as peace-loving people, he directed us to work for peace, not just at home but throughout Africa and the world. It is for this reason that we will continue to work for peace by means of negotiation and dialogue and not the barrel of the gun. We will continue to work for peace in Sudan, the Sahel region, the DRC and Cabo Delgado in the north of Mozambique, and elsewhere on the continent.’

The panel discussion further explored events around the world that threaten world peace. Responding to Hadebe’s questions, Lamola spoke on South Africa’s position and new developments with regards to the Middle East and the re-opening of the inquest on Luthuli’s death. Asserting that justice must prevail, he urged universities to get involved and help the courts regarding the inquest, and when they present their case in the International Court of Justice.

Words: Sithembile Shabangu

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini