Stellenbosch University (SU), in partnership with the Baxter Theatre Centre, is proud to announce that The Right Honourable Baroness Valerie Amos LG CH PC will deliver the prestigious 7th Annual Social Justice Lecture.
Scheduled for Friday, 20 February 2026, the lecture coincides with World Day of Social Justice and will be hosted at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Rondebosch, Cape Town.
Theme: Navigating Global Instability
In a period marked by extreme polarization and geopolitical shifts, Baroness Amos will address the theme: “Illusions of Stability: Delivering Social Justice in a Period of Polarisation and Global Instability.”
The event promises a high-level convergence of local and global leadership, featuring:
- Opening Address: Prof Deresh Ramjugernath (SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor).
- Keynote Conversation: Prof Thuli Madonsela (Director of the Centre for Social Justice) in conversation with Baroness Amos.
A Trailblazer in Public Service
Baroness Amos currently serves as the Master of University College, Oxford—the first Black person to lead an Oxford college in its 900-year history. Her distinguished career includes serving as the first Black woman in the British Cabinet and as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
“South Africa is a place of activism and ideas. I look forward to engaging with young people and hearing their thoughts about current geopolitical events,” said Baroness Amos.
A New Chapter for Stellenbosch University
This year’s lecture marks a major milestone for SU. The University has officially joined the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Global Coalition for Social Justice.
This partnership, supported by Sana De Courcelles of the ILO, positions SU to contribute directly to global research, policy, and action on inequality and exclusion.
“Baroness Amos’ voice as an equal justice advocate is timely… This is bound to contribute to the emerging global social justice scholarship and advocacy renaissance,” said Prof Thuli Madonsela.
Event Details and Special Offer
| Detail | Information |
| Date | Friday, 20 February 2026 |
| Time | 17:00 |
| Venue | Baxter Theatre Centre, Rondebosch |
| Registration | Click here to register (Free) |
| Livestream | Watch live here |
Special Offer: Registered attendees can receive a special rate of R180 to see Gregory Maqoma’s GENESIS: The Beginning and End of Time (use promo code: Justice26).
