Who is viewed as a full human being in society, and who is rendered invisible? This question lies at the heart of the inaugural lecture by Dion Forster, University Research Chair (URC) Professor of Public Theology and Ethics. Drawing on the South African concept of 'ubuntu', Forster examines how human dignity is linked to the recognition of others.
According to Forster, this recognition is sometimes made conditional in political and social debates. He points, for instance, to a statement by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma of the anti-immigration movement "March and March," who claimed that ubuntu had been temporarily "suspended." In contrast, he highlights Sawubona, a Zulu greeting that literally means "I/we see you." "The concept signifies more than mere visual perception: it affirms a person's dignity and place within the human community," says Forster.
Recognizable mechanisms
Forster demonstrates that these mechanisms are recognizable in both South Africa and the Netherlands. In South Africa, issues include xenophobia, inequality, and anti-immigration policies. In the Netherlands, he analyzes the use of "Judeo-Christian values" as a marker of national identity, a context in which Muslims and Islam can be portrayed as outsiders or a threat. Although the historical contexts differ, Forster identifies a similar underlying logic: people are reduced to categories such as "migrant" or "foreigner," causing their individual humanity to be obscured.
Forster believes the societal significance of the research lies in the question of how recognition can be translated into action. “Public theology must not only examine how religious and secular beliefs influence public life but also contribute to just institutions, policies, and economic relations,” he says in his address. Examples such as churches providing shelter and services to families whose asylum applications have been rejected demonstrate how recognition can translate into tangible solidarity.
Interconnectedness among people
The core of Forster’s argument is that human dignity does not depend on political recognition. According to him, Ubuntu can be ignored or excluded, yet the interconnectedness among people does not vanish as a result. The task of public theology is, therefore, to teach people to see, recognize, and act anew.