Defending open society values in a fractured world

In an increasingly interconnected yet deeply fractured world, renowned activist Binaifer Nowrojee delivered a timely and thought-provoking special lecture at the University of Cape Town (UCT), offering both a critical analysis of threats to human rights, equity, and justice, as well as a hopeful vision for the future.

Held on Monday, 10 March, at the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (d-school Afrika), the event was organised by UCT’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance in collaboration with the Institute for Humanities in Africa (HUMA), the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, and the UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB). It drew a distinguished audience of leaders and policy makers dedicated to promoting human rights and fostering more inclusive societies. The lecture also coincided with South Africa’s Human Rights Month, commemorated in March under the 2025 theme, “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights”, honouring the sacrifices of anti-apartheid activists.

Titled, “The State of the World: Defending Open Society in a Dangerous World”, Nowrojee in her address spoke about the critical importance of advancing human rights, equity, and justice in today's rapidly changing global landscape; a landscape faced with rising authoritarianism, shrinking civic spaces, and increasing threats to democratic governance. “And so, we must ask ourselves: How do we defend open society values in a dangerous world? How do we find our way back to the core values that bind our common humanity? The vision of a democratic and open society is one that we need to hold on to, and defend, through these dangerous times. This isn’t a time for us to back down, but a time for us all to stand by the courage of our convictions.”

A stark reminder: inequality and injustice persist

Nowrojee reminded the audience that South Africa is the most unequal country in the world – a stark reminder that the end of apartheid’s laws did not mean the end of its injustices. According to the World Bank, the top 10% of earners in this country take home two-thirds of national income, while the bottom 50% earn just 5%, she said.

Across the world, the figures are just as staggering. Oxfam reports that over the past five years, the world’s richest 1% have captured two-thirds of all new wealth created. “This is not an accidental byproduct of a mismanaged system; it is the result of a system designed to produce such outcomes.

“The grotesque concentration of wealth has given rise to a new oligarchy – or, as some have called it, a “tech bro-ligarchy,” dominated by a handful of billionaire Silicon Valley men (and it is always men!) who now wield immense power over our economies, our politics, and even our thoughts.”

She added: “An unequal planet is also an endangered planet. The ravages of inequality are inextricably linked to the ravages of climate change. The same system that allows a tiny elite to amass unimaginable wealth also fuels environmental destruction, as corporations prioritise short-term profits over the long-term health of our planet.”

Nowrojee said that free elections, free markets, and free speech were once hailed as the guiding lights toward a free, democratic, and prosperous world. “Free elections would ensure accountable governance; free markets would drive innovation and prosperity; and free speech would foster an informed and engaged citizenry. Now, we see how these three strands have begun to unravel, revealing not only their differences but their contradictions. Far from reinforcing one another, they are now often at odds, exposing the fragility of the systems we once took for granted”.

Strengthening civil society and youth leadership

She called for a unified and strategic response from the global human rights movement to counter these threats and safeguard fundamental freedoms. “This transition will not be smooth, nor will it be brief. We could see a prolonged period of volatility: a world of chaos, complexity, and danger. But this is precisely why defending open society values is more necessary than ever.”

Despite the challenges, Nowrojee expressed hope in the next generation. “Across the world, we see flames of hope ignited by young people who are claiming their future. They aren’t just protesting bad policies; they are challenging outdated and oppressive systems that have created the unjust world they will inherit.”

She urged for a broader and more inclusive approach to change, emphasising the need to strengthen civil society while forming partnerships with political actors, grassroots movements, and marginalised communities. “The crises we face – climate change, rising inequality, authoritarianism, the erosion of trust in institutions, the proliferation of conflict, and rapid technological advances – are not isolated. They are interconnected systemic failures that require new ways of thinking and acting.”

Rebuilding democratic resilience in Africa

In his welcome address, Professor Faizel Ismail, the director of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, noted that while countries such as South Africa and others in Africa made significant advances in building democratic states in the first decade of the 21st century, there has been much regression of democracy in many African countries in the past decade.

“Today, we are witnessing a dramatic rise of autocratic and authoritarian social movements and an increase in authoritarian states around the world. Hyper-globalisation, driven by the ideology of neo-liberalism, has exacerbated inequality between and within countries. And the competition for critical minerals and energy required to build the new technologies to address the challenges of climate change have contributed to increased geo-economic and geo-political tensions.”

He said at the school they are obsessed with re-building the resilience of democratic institutions in South Africa and across Africa. “We continue to be inspired by the leadership of Nelson Mandela who taught us how to navigate complex challenges – not only at home, but also across the African continent and the world.”

Celebrating 30 years of the Open Society Foundation in SA

Meanwhile, the event was also used to launch a commemorative book celebrating the 30-year legacy of the Open Society Foundation for South Africa, a publication that traces the foundation’s roots back to George Soros’ early support for black South African students at UCT during apartheid.

It was part of a series of engagements by Nowrojee during her visit to South Africa.