UP’s Department of Social Work and Criminology recently held an event to pay tribute to its staff and launch a book that charts the history of the 93-year-old department.

The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Social Work and Criminology recently hosted an event to celebrate social transformation, acknowledge the department’s many achievements and launch a book about the history of the department, which is 93 years old.

The event featured a keynote presentation by human rights and environmental activist Dr Kumi Naidoo. Titled ‘Turbo-charging intersectionality: Integrating social, economic and environmental justice for a sustainable world’, the presentation was an insightful reminder of the role that intersectionality plays in enabling environmental change. Dr Naidoo poignantly highlighted the distinction between giving your life and giving the rest of your life to a cause.

The event was also an opportunity for the department to celebrate the many achievements of its staff. Head of the department Professor Antoinette Lombard acknowledged staff members who have retired and the role that the department has played throughout its 93 years. In addition, three staff members who had graduated but were unable to attend their official graduation ceremony due to COVID-19 regulations were congratulated by Prof Lombard; Prof Vasu Reddy, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Prof Norman Duncan, former Vice-Principal: Academic; and Dr Naidoo. These staff members were Lehlogonolo Poopedi, Dr Peggy Chiwara and Dr Corlie Giliomee.

Finally, the book Department of Social Work and Criminology: Celebrating Social Transformation from 1929 to 2021 was launched. All attendees at the event were given a complimentary copy of the book, which documents the history of the department. Prof Karen Harris, Director of the UP Archives and Head of the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, explained the process of creating the book and acknowledged all the key role players, including Dawid Mouton, who researched and wrote the text, and Sanet du Plessis, who designed the publication.