The workshop aims to invite participants into a deeper understanding of the promise and the pitfalls of the complex interplay between religion and culture in our South African history and the current SU context. The facilitators draw on their own embodied experiences within the racialised contexts of South Africa and, particularly, Stellenbosch University to highlight two main themes:
- the toxic potential of religion and culture to contribute to exclusion and dehumanisation; and
- the creative, humanising promise of religion and culture to contribute to genuine inclusivity with social justice.
About the Facilitators:
Dr Wilhelm Verwoerd. As a white, Afrikaans-speaking South African, a former researcher within the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1995-98) and a peace practitioner in (Northern) Ireland (2001-2012) Wilhelm is devoted to (re)humanisation/reconciliation in contexts of deep political division. He is currently working on a book based on an international “Beyond Dehumanisation" reflective learning project with ex-combatants and survivors from the conflict in and about Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine, South Africa and the USA. His main research interests include the (incomplete legacy of the) South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission; shared historical responsibility of white South Africans for apartheid and colonialism; relational processes to transform (white) resistance to social justice in post-1994 South Africa; embodied spirituality of authentic reconciliation.
Ayanda Nyoka has, for the past 15 years worked in the public sector, NGO sector, and philanthropy. Since 2011, her work has focused on convening and facilitating dialogue on issues of social justice and reconciliation in South Africa, including policy advocacy work. Ayanda is currently on a residential Masters fellowship at the Historical Trauma and Transformation unit at Stellenbosch University. Her thesis explores the relationship between trauma and spirituality in the lives of black South African women in Pentecostal Christianity. Ayanda holds a BA from UWC and a BA honours (Political Science) from UCT.
