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The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) expresses its support for the student-led call for the removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue from the University of Cape Town (UCT) campus. Well beyond the Rhodes Must Fall campaign, we recognise this movement as a call for more urgent and meaningful commitment to national transformation – of physical spaces, institutional access and employment equity, amongst others. South Africa’s Constitutional vision of a non-sexist, non-racist society cannot be realised until we, as a country, and the African continent as a whole, more deliberately challenge the lingering effects of slavery, colonialism and apartheid – legacies which continue to restrain our progress towards the kind of society we aspire to.

While the first steps towards reconciliation at the dawn of democracy enabled South Africa’s peaceful transition, and assured people of all races that they had a future in this country, it is increasingly clear that violent and divisive legacies of oppression persist to a larger degree than previously anticipated. More than two decades into democracy, the youth has now taken the lead in challenging symbolism that continues to reinforce the pain associated with our past. In leading their appointed leaders, the youth is pushing us further than before to address the covert and overt forms of racism that South African society continues to experience. We applaud their courage to talk about their pain with searing honesty and to demand the need for radical transformation at their university in a non-violent manner. It strikes us that this courage stands in stark contrast to the cowardly commentary generated on social media platforms that criticise and even vilify others whilst hiding behind the anonymity of a pseudonym.

For the past 15 years, the IJR has worked hard to create platforms for personal and historical perspectives to be acknowledged, prejudices challenged and inclusive narratives explored. Stories about where we come from and who we are provide powerful avenues towards reconciliation. They also help to craft a sense of renewed confidence and self-respect, as well as deeper insight into who others really are. As a result, awareness is crafted about how relationships can be built across historical and deep-seated divides. We believe that the Rhodes Must Fall movement is engaged in similar processes.

The IJR is inspired by the courage and depth of thinking of the Rhodes Must Fall and related movements, such as the UCT White Privilege Project, and look forward to engaging these groups, at the right moment, in pursuit of a just, inclusive and democratic South Africa.

The IJR will continue its own youth leadership development work, to help capacitate more youth across the country to lead positive change. For more information about our upcoming youth leadership development camp and related youth work, please visit our website at ww.ijr.org.za.

Issued by IJR