Humanities 2014 Lecturer of the Year

Department of Political Sciences

Professor Gerhard Wolmarans obtained his BA (Political Sciences), BAHons (Political Science) and MA (Political Science) degrees at the University of Pretoria and his DLitt et Phil (2009) at the University of Johannesburg. In 1998 he joined the Department of Political Sciences, where he teaches mainly in the fields of Political Theory and Political Philosophy, with specific focus on Democratic Theory and civil engagement. His current research focuses on the shared narratives that undergird our political activities and understandings. This is reflected in recent publications on the ‘character’ of the South African state, and on doing justice to ‘the other’ in a democracy.   

Professor Wolmarans on teaching: ‘Over time, teaching has become part of who I am; something which I think applies to all of us who teach at university. I teach because I love the subject matter and because I see it as alive and all around us. I enjoy opening up the seemingly abstract world of Political Theory to students so as to show them how it touches on almost every facet of their daily lives. In the process I trust it will straighten some of the crookedness in their own thinking and then feed into their lives as and when they act on the public stage.’

Professor Wolmarans Lecturer of the Year Award

was sponsored by the Department of Higher Education & Training.