Work

Is silence in the face of global injustice in the “best interests” of South African universities?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: SIGNIFICANCE : Invited to respond, we write here not to rebut every argument advanced in the provocation piece ‘Should our universities respond to geopolitical conflicts around the world?’. This would presuppose alignment with the issues raised as the only ones germane to questions of academic neutrality in the face of injustice of genocidal proportions. Rather, we probe assumptions we consider central to the ethical responsibilities of South African universities when faced with immense human suffering. Rather, we ask: what is the cost of silence to our society and academic communities if, as once beneficiaries of global outrage and action against apartheid, we now comfortably look on so as not to be seen as taking sides?

Source: South African Journal of Science

DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2025/21191

Authors: Kezia Lewins, Peter van Heusden, Nazeema Mohamed, Sanele Sibanda, Rebecca Pointer, Louis Reynolds, Shabbir A. Wadee, Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven

Institutions: University of the Witwatersrand, South African Medical Research Council, University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: University Challenges and Reforms

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408208134

FWCI: 3.275

Cites: 5

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10