Dr Lokesh Maharajh.UKZN Webinar Focuses on Gandhi’s Legacy and South Africa’s Freedom Day
The School of Education within the College of Humanities recently hosted a pivotal webinar to honour Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy while commemorating South Africa’s Freedom Day.
The event brought together academics to deliver engaging and insightful presentations.
The programme explored Gandhi’s philosophy, highlighting the principles of nonviolence, truth, sustainability, and social transformation. It examined his continued relevance to South Africa’s ongoing pursuit of democracy and equality.
Discussions centred on “Hind Swaraj”, also known as “Indian Home Rule”, a pivotal work by Mahatma Gandhi examining his concept of “Swaraj”, which means self-rule, whilst offering a critique of modern Western civilisation. Written in 1909, it advocates a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle grounded in community and non-violent resistance. The book also explores the essence of civilisation, the impact of machinery, and the paths to achieving true freedom, both internally and externally.
Dr Betty Govinden discussed a book by Neil Postman that was published in 1969, which remains relevant today. She emphasised the importance of using the text as a tool to promote critical literacy, focusing on developing the ability to read and understand the world critically while highlighting the enduring significance of effective English usage.
She spoke about the importance of embracing the unknown and navigating uncertainty as a significant lesson for us. She highlighted the idea of “unknown uncertainty”, revealing that it aligns well with Gandhi’s life philosophy, which he described as an “experiment in truth”.
Govinden continued to highlight notable Nobel Prize winners from South Africa and other regions who have been inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Among the South African laureates are Albert Luthuli, who received the prize in 1960, followed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1984 and Nelson Mandela in 1993. Kenya’s Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Prize in 2004, while Martin Luther King Jr. was honoured in the United States in 1964, and Barack Obama received the award in 2009.
The Dalai Lama from Tibet won the Nobel Prize in 1989, and Kailash Satyarthi from India was recognised in 2015 for his efforts against child labour. Additionally, Lech Walesa from Poland was awarded the prize in 1973.
These individuals, through their significant contributions, exemplify the impact of Gandhi’s legacy on social justice and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Gandhi’s approach has inspired various intellectual pursuits and teaching methods that prioritise openness, exploration, and the breaking down of boundaries.
According to Dr Lokesh Maharajh, the paths of Gandhi and Mandela - particularly the shift from resistance to non-violence - provided a foundation for ongoing academic and social debates.
He believes that discussions about the respective paths of Gandhi and Mandela - particularly the shift from resistance to non-violence - along with the significance of Hind Swaraj for contemporary research, curriculum development, and the role of the University, are both timely and profoundly enriching.
Maharajh believes it offers valuable historical and philosophical grounding for ongoing debates in our academic and social contexts, saying, ‘The emphasis on Gandhi’s call for decolonisation, his philosophy of Sarvodaya, and the centrality of truth in the educational endeavour provided a compelling framework for reflection and action.’
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied