23 January 2026

What does it mean to risk your life for a story – and what happens when the cameras stop rolling? In this honest and revealing lecture Paula Slier shares first-hand insights from years of reporting on some of the world’s most volatile conflicts – including Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Russia and Ukraine. With a blend of frontline footage and deeply personal stories, she peels back the layers of modern war reporting: the adrenaline rush, the ethical tightropes, the heartbreak and the fleeting moments of hope.

The rural economy should not be forgotten in South Africa's economic growth agenda. Rural areas are still a significant segment of society and the economy. For many rural areas, agriculture and tourism are the only industries that still have the potential to generate livelihoods and employment. For these industries to perform better, we must address the various constraints that have limited their development and growth, thus preventing them from achieving their full potential. These industries have more than doubled in size since 1994, but are not yet at capacity.

This lecture discusses forensic and legal linguistics in relation to the analysis and interpretation of emojis that are used as evidence in courts. It will explain how forensic and legal linguists interpret emojis in legal settings. Practical examples to show how emojis are interpreted will be provided. The role of expert forensic and legal linguists will be examined to show the importance of how language is used in courtrooms. Finally, the lecture will show participants how to use emojis in a way that will avoid potential disputes and criminal acts.

On 23 August 2021, Babita Deokaran was shot down outside her home. The izinkabi paid to kill her were caught, but the question remained: Who ordered her murder, and why? Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks set out to find the answer. This quest would profoundly change – even endanger – his life, as he bravely followed the leads Babita had left behind. Leads that the Hawks, who were officially investigating her assassination, had failed to act on.In The Shadow State Wicks uncovers a tangled web of crooked officials, ANC politicians, and extraction syndicates.

This lecture will examine the political situation of the time and why the Trappists – a silent order and incompatible with mission work – came to Natal. It focuses on Father Francis Pfanner, his controversial reforms and eventual suspension, and on Brother Nivard Streicher's background, genius, friendship with Pfanner and early death. This fascinating story, based on the lives of two exceptional men, is a forgotten interlude in the history of Natal.

Neurodivergence refers to the naturally occurring variation in human brains, encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. This lecture will explore the many implications of neurodivergence, including information processing, executive functioning, energy regulation, and masking. It will also address the frequent co-occurrence of neurodivergent conditions and the close links between neurodivergence and mental health.

Drawing on current research, the lecture highlights shifting paradigms – from deficit-based models to strength-aware, neuro-affirming perspectives. It considers the practical implications of this knowledge: what it means to move beyond awareness toward

Waiting for Evolution explores climate change, power and human behaviour on the tip of Africa, told through the lens of our fellow primates, baboons – one primate looking at another and asking who needs to evolve here? Using the current polarised issues around baboons in Simonstown as a microcosm of the larger issues around the world, the documentary explores how polarisation in communities happens. Can we learn from the past? Can a species so close to us in shared DNA of 94% allow us to see ourselves from a new perspective?

David Wylde explores his recent book, Fix It. His experience as an educator exposed him to the problems facing South African education. An internationally renowned educationalist, he believes that leaders, together with committed teams, can make a difference. His life’s work serving both urban and rural, government and independent schools, has enabled him to identify the challenges schools and communities face in our post-Covid world. David invites participants to join him in envisioning a future where innovative, meaningful actions are combined with kindness and caring to create change.