Past injustices must be confronted, Ebrahim Rasool gives talk on lessons from South Africa for a divided Britain
In November 2025, SOAS welcomed Ebrahim Rasool, Diplomat and Former South African Ambassador to the United States – for a discussion on the key learnings that can be effectively taken from South Africa's historic transition from apartheid, amidst growing polarisation in Britain.
Mr Rasool explored this through key themes of negotiation, building pluralism, and national unity – providing an understanding of how societies that are divided can attempt to achieve reconciliation, reshape conflict into cooperation, and reconstruct both political and social institutions that accommodate diversity in modern times. Rasool added: “We must be able to hold on to our own identities, but we've got to insert those identities into broader coalitions.” Rasool went on to affirm that for society to move forward, communities must be able to need to confront past injustices — not ignore them.
We must be able to hold on to our own identities, but we've got to insert those identities into broader coalitions.
Rasool also emphasised the importance of open, inclusive negotiation — involving different communities and leaders of nations — as a foundation for peaceful transition. In the case of South Africa, historically oppressed and dominant groups engaged in dialogue to forge a new, shared political framework. Rasool went on to highlight that successful transitions to community building require institutional reforms that protects pluralism — giving voice and representation to all communities, ensuring fairness and stability.
