58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture by Judge Dire Tladi

Dear colleagues and students

The upcoming 58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture, to be presented by Judge Dire Tladi on Tuesday, 1 October 2024, will address a subject that is both relevant and timely.

Hosted in conjunction with the acting chairperson of the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC), Professor Rudzani Muloiwa, the lecture is titled “The Narrative as the Enemy of Freedom of Thought”.

There are few things more powerful in international relations than “the narrative”, or the generally accepted truth. Whether we are talking about climate change, geopolitics or global health, people are often vilified for expressing a view different from that of the narrative. This vilification is also sometimes directed at judges in the international system.

On the one hand, these narratives are often said to be based on humanitarian values and the search for a better world. At the same time, not only do narratives imperil freedom of thought and expression, they also undermine critical thinking.

Judge Tladi, who was sworn in as judge of the International Court of Justice in the Hague in February 2024, will address this subject at the 58th instalment of the TB Davie Memorial Lecture, which will be my first to co-host as the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) vice-chancellor.

Prior to being in the Hague, Judge Tladi was professor of international law and SARChI Chair in International Constitutional Law at the University of Pretoria. He was previously chair and member of the United Nations International Law Commission and its special rapporteur on Peremptory Norms of General International Law (Jus Cogens). He also served as president of the South African branch of the International Law Association.

Judge Tladi was also a special adviser to the South African Minister of International Relations. He was the legal adviser to the South African Ministry of International Affairs and the legal counsel to the South African Mission to the United Nations in New York. He has published widely in international law. He is also the author of two works of fiction.

We are looking forward to hearing from Judge Tladi at the 58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture, which was established by UCT students to commemorate the work of Thomas Benjamin Davie, vice-chancellor of the university from 1948 to 1955 and a defender of the principles of academic freedom. Organised by the AFC, the lecture is delivered by distinguished speakers who are invited to speak on a theme related to academic and human freedom.

Please join us for this lecture.

When: Tuesday, 1 October 2024
Venue: Kramer Law Building LT1, Middle Campus Rondebosch, Cape Town
Time: 18:00 SAST

• Please register online to attend the lecture.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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