Reclaiming Pluralism: Lessons from South Africa for a Divided Britain by Ebrahim Rasool

What can Britain learn from South Africa's transition from apartheid? Join Ebrahim Rasool for lessons in negotiation and building a pluralistic society.

Amidst growing polarisation in Britain, what can be learned from South Africa's historic transition from apartheid? Join veteran politician and anti-apartheid activist Ebrahim Rasool as he explores practical lessons in negotiation, co-existence, and building a pluralistic society from the ground up.

Speaker

Ebrahim Rasool, a distinguished South African leader, matriculated at Livingstone High  and earned an arts degree and teaching diploma from the University of Cape Town. He holds Honorary Doctorates from Roosevelt and Chatham Universities and is a Senior Fellow at Georgetown and Rutgers Universities. Recently, he was appointed Adjunct Professor of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University.

Rasool played a vital role in the anti-apartheid struggle, leading student protests and forming Muslim and interfaith movements. His activism led to sacrifices, including job loss, imprisonment, house arrest, and an underground existence. During South Africa’s transition to democracy, he worked alongside Nelson Mandela, engaging religious communities and laying political groundwork for negotiations.

Post-1994, Rasool contributed to governance in the Western Cape as Minister in various portfolios and later as Premier. He also served as Ambassador to the USA under Barack Obama. He continued his global advocacy, combating bigotry and extremism through his World for All Foundation and during his tenure as Chairperson of the Development Bank of Southern Africa driving development on the continent through infrastructure projects.

He was asked to serve again as SA Ambassador to the USA under President Trump, but he was declared persona non grata after three months for condemning supremacist policies. His leadership remains influential in governance, diplomacy, and social justice worldwide

Organisers: Islaah Collective, Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), Centre for Pan African Studies & Department of Politics and International Studies (Africa Cluster)

Photo credit: Angelo Moleele via unsplash