This was the questioned addressed by a panel that included former Public Protector Prof Thuli Madonsela, political activist Jay Naidoo, and critical thinker Christopher Rutledge at a USB Leader’s Angle Series during March that explored ways on how the private sector can contribute towards human rights.

“A next step may be to unambiguously acknowledge that business is part and parcel of our political economy, directly shaping human rights outcomes through its own actions and inactions.”

– Prof Brian Ganson, head of the Africa Centre for Dispute Settlement

“Some of us are sitting on the mountain because of apartheid; some of us are in the valley.”

– Prof Thuli Madonsela, Law Faculty Trust Chair for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University

“How do we bring humanity into the place we work? We are not just numbers.”

– Lerato Molebatsi, National Executive of General Electric

“We still have politicians promising jobs when we know it’s a lie. Rather help people feed themselves and gain an income instead.”

– Jay Naidoo, founding General Secretary of Cosatu & former Minister in Mandela Government

WATCH: Click here for the video of the event