Just society is possible, Motlanthe

FORMER president Kgalema Motlanthe is convinced that South Africa will prevail in its quest to build a just and equal society.

Motlanthe delivered a keynote address at the University of the Western Cape’s Public Interest Law Gathering yesterday.

Speaking to a packed auditorium, Motlanthe provided an overview of the High Level Panel on the assessment of key legislation and acceleration of fundamental change, he had headed. But he said he could not divulge too much information pertaining to the panel as its report was due next month.

“During our countrywide public hearings people shared their lived experiences, addressing the dire employment and education figures and poor growth of our country’s economy. The land issue was raised everywhere and must be attended to as a matter of urgency,” said Motlanthe.

He said the business of politics must not be left to just politicians and that the law can bring about transformation to society’s most vulnerable.

The event, attended by academics from universities across the country and activists from various organisations, featured a question and answer session.

Motlanthe was asked to provide answers on various subjects.

These included the mining sector, labour brokering, outsourcing, evictions of the working class from urban areas, farm dwellers and labourers as well using the law to overcome racism by decolonising society.

Motlanthe said that to be an honourable society legislation was needed to regulate society or there was the risk of falling into anarchy. He said the country was going through a period where offences were being committed and there seemed to be no consequences.

Others questioned whether the High Level Panel’s report would address these issues and if it would lead to law reform.