The Lecture, now in its ninth year, pays tribute to the values that Helen Suzman espoused in her lengthy career as an activist, Member of Parliament and public servant.
This year’s speaker has an illustrious legal career; having been a technical expert during the drafting of the Constitution, a full-time Commissioner on the South African Law Reform Commission and having played a crucial role in authoring numerous pieces of legislation and government policy documents. She currently holds a Chair in Social Justice at the University of Stellenbosch.
Advocate Madonsela’s contribution to strengthening the rule of law and constitutionalism in South Africa has been self-evident since her appointment as the Public Protector in 2009. Throughout her time in office, Madonsela combated abuses of state power and fearlessly utilised her office to hold government officials, including those in the highest echelons of power, to account. Her actions were pivotal in safeguarding the founding principles of the South African Constitution when it came under some of the gravest threats it has faced thus far.
In addition to delivering this year’s lecture, Advocate Madonsela has also graciously accepted the Helen Suzman Foundation’s invitation to become a patron of the Foundation.
