‘Illusions of Stability’: Baroness Valerie Amos to Deliver 7th Social Justice Lecture at Stellenbosch

One of the United Kingdom’s most distinguished public servants and humanitarian leaders will take the stage at the Baxter Theatre Centre this Friday, as Stellenbosch University hosts the 7th Annual Social Justice Lecture.

The Rt Hon Baroness Valerie Amos LG CH PC, a trailblazer who became the first Black woman to serve in the British Cabinet, will deliver the lecture on 20 February 2026coinciding with the World Day of Social Justice. The event begins at 17:00 and will be broadcast live on SAFM.

A Life of Firsts

Baroness Amos’s career is defined by groundbreaking achievements. She currently serves as Master of University College, Oxfordthe first Black individual to lead an Oxford college in its 900-year history. Her government service included roles as Secretary of State for International Development and Leader of the House of Lords, making her the first Black woman to sit in the British Cabinet.

At the United Nations, she served as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, leading responses to crises in West Africa and the Middle East. Throughout, she has maintained a resolute commitment to equality and social justice.

Her passion for education as a catalyst for change is embodied in the Amos Bursary, co-founded with her sister Colleen in 2008, which empowers young people of African and Caribbean heritage to pursue higher education.

The Lecture: ‘Illusions of Stability’

This year’s theme”Illusions of Stability: Delivering Social Justice in a Period of Polarisation and Global Instability”promises to ignite thought-provoking discussion at a moment when the ground seems to shift beneath established certainties.

The programme will feature an opening address by SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, followed by a conversation between Baroness Amos and Prof Thuli Madonsela, Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). The lecture will conclude with a Q&A session, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly.

Engaging with South Africa’s Youth

Baroness Amos expressed eagerness for her visit, describing South Africa as a hub of activism and progressive ideas.

“I look forward in particular to engaging with young people and hearing their thoughts about current geopolitical events,” she said.

She commended the CSJ and Madonsela for championing dignity, accountability, and the restoration of public trustintegral elements of the social justice agenda.

“Amid current global events, we must examine the shifting dynamics of power,” Amos added.

Her reflections on legendary figures like former President Nelson Mandela underline the importance of leadership qualities such as clarity of vision, understanding different perspectives, and adaptability without sacrificing core values.

“It’s about opening doors for others and advocating for change,” she noted, recognising the responsibility that comes with being a trailblazer.

A New Global Partnership

This year’s lecture marks a significant milestone: Stellenbosch University has recently been accepted as a partner in the International Labour Organisation’s Global Coalition for Social Justice.

The coalition unites governments, international organisations, social partners, and academia, focusing on addressing inequality, advancing human and labour rights, and promoting inclusive development. The CSJ will act as SU’s institutional focal point in engaging with the Coalition, contributing research and public dialogue aligned with its objectives.

Prof Thuli Madonsela reflected on the importance of the initiative: “It is a profound honour to welcome Baroness Amos to Stellenbosch University. Her dedication to equality resonates deeply, particularly in a time of extreme polarisation.”

SU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, emphasised the university’s role in fostering discourse on pressing global issues, particularly as the institution strengthens its impact through its partnership with the Coalition.

A Conversation for Our Times

The 7th Annual Social Justice Lecture signifies not only Baroness Amos’s profound contributions to the discourse around social equity but also the university’s commitment to participating actively in global conversations.

At a moment when polarisation threatens to overwhelm dialogue and instability undermines the certainties on which social justice depends, the lecture offers an opportunity to step back, listen, and engage.

For those in Cape Town, the Baxter Theatre awaits. For the rest of South Africa, SAFM will carry the conversation live. The question of how to deliver social justice in an age of illusionand instabilityhas never been more urgent.

{Source: IOL}

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