The changeover in South Africa in the early nineties was a dream start. South Africa as a land of hope, a land of opportunity.

What has happened to the young democracy since? What will the elections of 22 April 2009 bring us? After the initial changeover from the apartheid system to a new democracy, tensions in South Africa remained. The work done by the Truth and Reconcilliation Commission of South Africa (TRC) cannot be underestimated.

But do we now have a true democracy there? What happened to the high ethical and moral values of the ANC? What solutions are there for the fight against poverty, for unemployment, for safety and a coherent national identity in South Africa?

It is around these questions that a symposium will be held, conducted in English and featuring prominent speakers from South Africa and the Netherlands. The symposium will be introduced by a key-note speaker from South Africa, Allister Sparks, after which there will be a panel discussion led by Bart Luirink (ZAM).

The symposium will be concluded with music, drinks and a buffet, during which there will be ample opportunity to meet with others.

Key-note speaker:
Allister Sparks, author, journalist, former head of SABC news

Co-referent speaker:
TK, Thamsanqa Khuzwayo, townshipboy and art-director Freedom Extravaganza Group

Speakers:
Peter ter Horst, chief editor Intermediair,
Ineke van Kessel, journalist, historian African Studycenter Leiden
Gon Mevis, alderman city of Tilburg global awareness

Chairman:
Bart Luirink, chief editor magazine ZAM

Music:
Nkosinathi
group from Johannesburg: music, shouting and Kofifi dancing
Sean Bergin saxophonist born in Durban

The admission is free.
The buffet charge is 5 euro, to be fulfilled at the programme.
Registration is necessary (for the buffet open until June 11th).
When: Thursday June 18th 2009, 3.30 - 8.00 pm.
Where: Midi-theater, Heuvelring 108 Tilburg

Organisation:
Stichting Lekoa-Vaal Tilburg (Lekoa-Vaal Foundation) and
Studium Generale Tilburg University