As part of Mandela Month, during which we remember the birth date of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on 18 July 1918, the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Leading Like Mandela Institute and the Thembekile Mandela Foundation are jointly hosting the first in a series of online Mandela Talks.

Mandela Talks

Wednesday 22 July 2020
Webinar (Zoom)
11:00 - 13:00 SAST

Theme: COVID-19: Are we getting the balance right?

A contemplation on the best way in which to approach the constitutional implications of the COVID-19 regulatory framework. Some of these regulations impose significant restrictions on rights, but are aimed at realising other rights. How should such contending claims be balanced? What has been the approach of our courts to this? Is this the right approach in the context of the pandemic? Are there issues related to the pandemic that should not be dealt with by courts, but are best dealt with by administrators or the legislature?

• Chair: Ms Abigail Noko
  Head, Regional Office Southern Africa, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Welcome: Prof Frans Viljoen 
  Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
• Introduction to the Mandela Talks: Liaqat Azam
  Director, Leading Like Mandela Institute
• A balancing act: the Constitution in the context of COVID-19: Justice Johann van der Westhuizen
  Former Judge, Constitutional Court of South Africa
• An overview of recent case-law: Okyerebea Ampofo-Anti
  Partner, Ampofo-Anti Consulting and Sessional Lecturer, Media Law and Ethics, University of Witwatersrand
• Reflections: Adv Mohamed Shafie Ameermia
  Commissioner, South African Human Rights Commission
• Reflections: Justice Zak Yacoob
  Former Judge, Constitutional Court of South Africa

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