On 13 October 2009 former Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro delivered the annual human rights public lecture hosted by the Stellenbosch University Law Faculty. The title of Justice Mokgoro’s address was Ubuntu, the Constitution and the Rights of Non-Citizens. The lecture was attended by approximately 120 persons representing a cross-section of the bench, members of the bar and side-bar, civil society organisations, and students. Guests included the former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson, former Constitutional Court Justices Johann Kriegler and Laurie Ackermann and Prof. Kader Asmal.
In her address Justice Mokgoro analysed the normative and institutional framework created by both international law and the South African Constitution for the protection of the rights of non-citizens. She also reviewed the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court pertaining to the protection of their rights. She highlighted the critical role of the Department of Home Affairs, civil society and all the institutions supporting constitutional democracy in ensuring that the treatment accorded to the various categories of non-citizens in South Africa is consonant with the constitutional value of non-citizens.
Following Justice Mokgoro’s address a lively question and answer session followed.
The Stellenbosch Law Faculty wishes to express their appreciation to Webber Wentzel for sponsoring the Annual Human Rights Lecture series of the Faculty.