The first Obiter Lounge at Wits provided a platform for debate and re-imagination of freedom.
Wits students launched the first-ever Obiter Lounge with raw, unfiltered debate on what freedom really means 31 years into democracy.
Tensions flared as students clashed over gender, power and justice proving freedom is still a battleground in South Africa.
It is a bold space for truth-telling, growth, and uncomfortable but necessary dialogue.
Marking 31 years of democracy in South Africa, the Wits Law Students Council (LSC), hosted their first Obiter Lounge at Solomon Mahlangu House on April 25, 2025, designed as a space created for unfiltered, student-led dialogue.
This is in collaboration with the Wits Moot Society, the Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter (Wits BLA-SC), and the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA).
The event invited students to speak openly about the promises enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution and question whether these are reflected in the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
Lesedi Lekoto, LSC gender and transformation officer opening a new topic for discussion. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
Initial hesitation gave way to passionate contributions as students reflected on freedom as it relates to race, gender, class, education, and safety. Finger snaps and applause punctuated personal encounters of freedom: from political to academic, economic to social, and from safety to justice.
The turning point of the event came when controversial opinions sparked gasps, murmurs of disbelief, and passionate rebuttals, raising tensions as someone on the floor expressed that that once some black South Africans have been liberated in terms of wealth they isolate themselves from assisting those in lower positions than them, making them the most selfish out there.
This was received with backlash as others critiqued that blaming others for upward social mobility should come with the awareness that many were indoctrinated and fought for their freedom and others reminded the individual that black people must work twice as much to earn half as much and that escaping poverty is the point.
Students attentively listen in as a speaker expresses their thoughts on what freedom means to them. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
This conversation was exactly what Mihle Kunju, LSC Chairperson, hoped the session to spark, “The main takeaway I envisioned was the creation of tolerance for unpopular but somewhat logical views.”
He believes that it is through uncomfortable and brutal conversation that the country will realise its true purpose.
“The National Dialogue needs to be spearheaded by young people and requires an unwavering commitment to even the most radical ideals”, he said.
Third-year LLB student Mandisa Khathi captured the spirit of the evening: “It has opened my eyes to how much we can learn from one another. Spaces like this that bring people together are truly special.”
She said: “It’s refreshing to meet like-minded people who are as hopeful about the future of South Africa. Plus, it’s a great space for those who might not usually be heard to share their voices.”
The Obiter Lounge has officially set the tone for a new era of student dialogue that is raw, reflective, and urgently necessary.
FEATURED IMAGE: Students gathered in Solomon Mahlangu House for the Obiter Lounge. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
Despite democracy, inequality remains deeply rooted in South Africa. Colonial-era systems and weak leadership keep many struggling, making true freedom feel like an illusion rather than reality.
South Africans celebrated Freedom Day on April 27, marking 31 years of freedom, but a nation once propelled by the dreams of liberation, finds itself in a paradox where democracy exists in name but fails in practice. The leadership that once embodied conviction and purpose has been replaced by individuals who merely perform the motions of governance without substance. The country’s political landscape reflects a deeper crisis, one rooted in the mechanisms of governmentality and the remnants of colonial power.
Governmentality and the Performance of Power
Scholar, Derek Hook, describes governmentality as a form of power that operates by managing perceptions rather than delivering structural change. By repeatedly acknowledging inequality and promising reforms that take time, leaders create the illusion of progress. This performance encourages citizens to self-regulate, internalise patience, believe change is underway and at times defer their demands of justice.
South African leaders lack the conviction necessary to drive transformative change. They have settled into a comfortable routine of political theatre; reciting the language of democracy and equality while presiding over systems that perpetuate inequality. Nowhere is this more painfully visible than in the education system.
Recent studies highlight persistent educational inequalities. The 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) revealed that well-resourced schools in affluent areas continue to outperform poorly resourced schools in marginalised communities. Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube acknowledged that, despite post-apartheid reforms, the education system remains highly unequal, with significant disparities in infrastructure, teacher absenteeism and learning outcomes.
A pattern exists where leaders publicly commit to addressing educational inequalities, but the lack of decisive action and effective implementation perpetuates the status quo.
The people, distracted by the spectacle of governance, remain trapped in a system designed to keep power in the hands of the privileged.
Frantz Fanon, one of the most influential thinkers on colonialism and decolonialism, provides critical insights into South Africa’s predicament. In Black Skin, White Masks and The Wretched of the Earth, Fanon explores how colonial rule systematically dehumanises the colonised, stripping them of agency and trapping them in a cycle of psychological inferiority.
Despite South Africa’s political independence, the psychological scars of colonialism continue to shape governance and societal structures. The black mind, conditioned by generations of oppression, has internalised the logic of colonial rule, accepting leadership that fails to challenge existing power dynamics.
The Contradictions of Freedom and Democracy
Freedom in South Africa is often celebrated through constitutional promises; rights to equality, dignity, and movement. Yet, the gap between legal freedom and lived experience is undeniable.
For instance, the right to freedom of expression, particularly in university spaces, is often suppressed by fear. Students hesitate to speak out, fearing institutional retaliation. Recent protests against financial exclusion or poor accommodation conditions are met with resistance, reinforcing the limits of supposed freedoms.
Self-censorship becomes a defence mechanism, a response to the unspoken threat of expulsion or punishment. This psychological fear sustains oppression, ensuring that power remains unchallenged.
As long as fear dictates action, true freedom will remain an illusion. If fear keeps us silent and institutions such as government and universities etc, prioritise self-preservation over real change, can we truly call this freedom?
Wits students are on different pages when it comes to volunteering for nongovernmental organisations.
Wits students actively engage with outreach project tables, taking a break from their studies to explore opportunities and broaden their involvement.
Students voice the benefits and challenges of volunteering, emphasizing its impact on personal growth and mental health.
Over 600 Wits students actively contribute to social justice, embodying the spirit of Ubuntu through volunteerism.
Volunteerism was spotlighted at the NGO Fair on April 10, 2025, hosted by Wits Citizenship Community Outreach (WCCO) on the library lawns. The fair, decorated with close to 30 NGOs, was a call for students to learn about services available and opportunities for volunteering, tutoring, and interning as agents of social change.
Students signing up for volunteer work with Sunshine Association Centre. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
From foundations advocating for human rights to education on genital health, WCCO’s liaison of the fair, Mabalane Nzapheza said that hosting a fair for NGOs “is a significant event for us as it always allows students and the Wits community to make a positive and impactful contribution to the agenda of social justice”.
While the fair successfully drew a large turnout throughout the day and showcased diverse initiatives, it also sparked a range of perspectives on volunteerism itself —raising questions about its value, accessibility and role in the lives of busy university students.
Shirley Matlala, a third-year biological sciences student, said that volunteering serves as a reminder that a person is more than just their career and can find fulfilment and self-worth in contributing. “You learn more about yourself when volunteering. It really helps you get a feel of other skills that you have outside of math [for example] and it’s just a daily reminder that you are better and more than your career”, she said.
Echoing the sentiment Ntsako Hlahleni, a third-year media studies student said: “I’m a final year student I’ve gotten to a point where my dissertation is coming to an end …and I need something to ground me. I think that I am capable of helping people in certain areas.”
She also expressed that she withheld from volunteering in her previous years because it required way more time than she could offer, a discovery that also made Masande Mfihlo, a third-year Bcom student, stop after first year. This aligns with Karuna Singh’s, manager of WCCO, observations that getting students to be consistent in their volunteering over a long period is more challenging than recruiting them.
Students engaging with outreach project, UNICEF. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
Faith Shongwe, a fourth-year BA social work student, believes, “Generally, people see volunteering as a waste of time. They realise that ‘Oh, I don’t have the resources and the money to go to those places’, but they don’t understand that it has a greater benefit to them and their livelihoods.” Contributing to NGOs reaching more communities, gaining a social conscience, and achieving social justice are a few of the many benefits of volunteering.
Despite this, volunteerism is still popular at Wits. “The numbers of student volunteers are increasing,” says Singh and Nzapheza proudly remarks on the significant improvement in participation among Witsies this year. “Over 600 active volunteers dedicate their time, skills, and most importantly, humanity, to giving back to society. We witness the spirit of Ubuntu every day”, said Nzapheza.
Praise Sibuyi, a master’s student in social psychological research, pointed out that apprehension towards volunteering sometimes boils down to safeguarding one’s mental health as entering communities that reflect your situation can serve as a trigger.
FEATURED IMAGE: Master’s students Praise Sibuyi and Thami Moropa holding a board cut out of the Ford Foundation, an NGO, alongside one of its volunteers. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
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