Myth and Reality in South Africa’s Liberation Narrative

On today’s episode of Justice Matters, co-host Mathias Risse speaks with Professor Tshepo Madlingozi, scholar, activist and commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission—an independent constitutional body charged with promoting, monitoring and protecting human rights in the country. Together they discuss: post-apartheid South Africa, the mythification of the liberation narrative, the role of the South African Human Rights Commission, constitutional promises vs. lived realities, the multifaceted legacy of Nelson Mandela, epistemic justice, and lessons from South Africa for a global audience. Professor Madlingozi’s work focuses on decolonisation, reparative justice, human rights, and participatory democracy. His writings move across law, political philosophy, and the lived experience of communities still carrying the material weight of colonialism. Before joining the Commission, he was the Director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS)—a law clinic and researc...