dialectic

 In Memoriam: Andre du Toit, 1938—2026 Andrew Nash I must begin with my condolences to the du Toit family—Andries, Marijke, Jeanne and Masha—on your grievous loss.  Your loss is shared, and felt, by many others, including generations of André’s du Toit’s students and colleagues. I share in your loss and I grieve with you. André was one of a kind. His academic achievements were the stuff of legend. He never focused on academic achievement for its own sake. He was a model of intellectual integrity; a mind that never sought to display itself; but was always ready for the task at hand.  In his final years, what stood out was his enduring clarity of mind, his generosity of spirit, his uncomplaining endurance in the face of declining health; indeed, his resilient enjoyment of life. These qualities of endurance and insight enabled him to complete his path-breaking work on the contested and frequently tangled processes of Amnesty and Truth and Reconciliation process.  * ...

Kan die Akademie Uitnemendheid Oorleef? Voordrag aan die Stellenbosch Woordfees, 13 Oktober 2022 Andrew Nash Gedurende die laaste twee dekades of meer, het die idee van uitnemendheid al hoe meer die selfbeeld en praktyk van die universiteitswese oorheers. In die proses, het dit feitlik die doel, werkswyse en kultuur van universiteit verander. Dit is moeilik om aan ‘n omwenteling te dink wat ewe vinnig plaasgevind het, ewe verreikend was, en ook so ondeurdag. Die idee en praktyk van uitnemendheid—en veral die gebruik van ranglyste waarmee die prestasie van instellings, departemente, en individuele akademici gemeet word—word nou gesien as onvermydelike riglyn vir hoër onderwys. Ek meen dat dit groot skade aanrig, en die hele toekoms van die akademie—en van intellektuele vorming en ondersoek, soos dit oor die eeue ontwikkel het—in gevaar stel. Hierdie idee van uitnemendheid het sy oorsprong in die Amerikaanse universiteitswese in die laaste dekades van die twintigste eeu. Uitnemendheid he...