On 26 March 2026, we hosted Prof. Vishantie Sewpaul, emeritus from the University of Kwazul Natal who delivered a compelling public lecture titled “Politicization of the Self: Personal Mastery for Professional Capabilities and Transformative Societies,” bringing together participants from civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and the research community.
The lecture examined the deep social and planetary inequalities that characterize the modern world, highlighting how neoliberal racialized capitalism, logical-positivist science, and new public management systems continue to shape exclusion and injustice. Prof. Sewpaul emphasized that beneath these visible forces lie unexamined assumptions and blind spots that often perpetuate the very prejudices and oppressions society seeks to overcome.
Addressing the influence of race, class, gender, sexuality, language, nationality, and culture on access to power and resources, Prof. Sewpaul called for a transformative approach that combines critical reflection, mindful self-awareness, and purposeful action. She encouraged participants to become active authors of their own lives by moving beyond limiting personal and societal narratives. Advocating a shift from egocentric and ethnocentric perspectives toward a cosmocentric consciousness rooted in interconnectedness and shared humanity, the lecture underscored the importance of personal mastery as a foundation for professional excellence and the creation of more just, inclusive, and transformative societies.
