Reprieve for UKZN civil society centre

Primarashni Gower, Mail & Guardian, 15 August 2008

The University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Civil Society (CSS) has been saved from closure for now, after a spirited defence of the high-profile human rights advocacy centre.

Last week the Mail&Guardian reported that staff had been told that the CSS would close at the end of December for financial reasons.

There was a public outcry about the proposed closure of the centre, which does research and advocacy into human rights, political economy and the environment.

The university initially denied the announcement, saying that it had plans for a refocused civil society programme to be established and integrated into the school of development studies. This followed discussions between senior academics and recommendations of a review committee. The final decision would be taken by the university council.

However, the proposal ran counter to the review committees's recommendation that the centre be given more support and more independence, whether in the school of development studies or the school of sociology.

This week the faculty board responsible for humanities, social sciences and development studies voted 33 to one for the centre's retention.

The university confirmed that a subcommittee was established and will make recommendations on, among others, the financial sustainability, governance and future of the centre. The recommendations of the subcommittee will go through various structures including senate and council.

CCS director Professor Patrick Bond said: "The reason we had the chance to debate this matter was vice-chancellor Malegapuru Makgoba's mandate to [deputy vice-chancellor Fikile Mazibuko] and dean Donal McCracken to take the debate over CCS's future back to fellow UKZN scholars, instead of deciding the matter as a fait accompli."

He said: "I had unfairly anticipated that we would not have this chance to make our argument to colleagues for retaining CCS at UKZN. But as Makgoba put it, 'the academic voice should be loud and clear but more importantly should inform decision-making'. It is hard to think of a louder shout of support and we are very grateful for the vote of confidence."