Exploring the power of narratives: Judge Dire Tladi at the 58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture

The University of Cape Town’s 58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture, held on 1 October 2024, featured Judge Dire Tladi, a prominent judge of the International Court of Justice.

Judge Tladi addressed the influence of dominant narratives on freedom of thought and expression in his lecture titled: “The Narrative as the Enemy of Freedom of Thought.” Tladi discussed how widely accepted narratives in international law, climate change, and geopolitics can often suppress alternative viewpoints and critical thinking.

Hosted by the Academic Freedom Committee’s (AFC) Professor Rudzani Muloiwa and co-hosted by UCT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela, the lecture commemorated the work of former UCT Vice-Chancellor Thomas Benjamin Davie, a staunch defender of academic freedom.

The lecture provided a platform for reflection on the balance between preserving humanitarian values and fostering an environment where freedom of thought is not compromised.

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