Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a scholar and Professor-at-large at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, has been awarded the 2024 Templeton Prize for her significant contributions to the understanding of trauma and forgiveness, particularly in the context of post-apartheid South Africa.
Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s work has established a globally-recognized model for social healing in the aftermath of conflict, which she terms “the reparative quest.” Her insights delve into the complexities of human behavior and the possibilities of reconciliation, offering profound implications for societies grappling with historical wounds.
As a distinguished professor and the South African National Research Foundation’s Chair in Violent Histories and Transgenerational Trauma, Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s impact extends beyond academia. She serves as the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest at Stellenbosch University, where her research and leadership continue to shape the discourse on reconciliation and social justice.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela emphasizes the transformative potential inherent in human experiences. “My research is based on the possibility of human transformation, on probing deeper to understand the conditions necessary to restore the values of what it means to be human—to want to preserve the dignity and life of the other,” she states.
Established in 1972 by celebrated investor Sir John Templeton, the Templeton Prize recognizes discoveries that yield new insights about religion and spirituality. Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s selection underscores the Prize’s commitment to honoring individuals who contribute to the deeper understanding of humanity’s purpose and place within the universe.
Throughout her career, Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela has received numerous accolades, including the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award, and the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship, among others. Her impactful publications, such as “A Human Being Died that Night” and “Memory, Narrative and Forgiveness,” continue to resonate globally, shedding light on the enduring power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, wishes Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela success in her current and future endeavors.
Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a scholar and Professor-at-large at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, has been awarded the 2024 Templeton Prize for her significant contributions to the understanding of trauma and forgiveness, particularly in the context of post-apartheid South Africa.
Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a scholar and Professor-at-large at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, has been awarded the 2024 Templeton Prize for her significant contributions to the understanding of trauma and forgiveness, particularly in the context of post-apartheid South Africa.
Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s work has established a globally-recognized model for social healing in the aftermath of conflict, which she terms “the reparative quest.” Her insights delve into the complexities of human behavior and the possibilities of reconciliation, offering profound implications for societies grappling with historical wounds.
As a distinguished professor and the South African National Research Foundation’s Chair in Violent Histories and Transgenerational Trauma, Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s impact extends beyond academia. She serves as the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest at Stellenbosch University, where her research and leadership continue to shape the discourse on reconciliation and social justice.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela emphasizes the transformative potential inherent in human experiences. “My research is based on the possibility of human transformation, on probing deeper to understand the conditions necessary to restore the values of what it means to be human—to want to preserve the dignity and life of the other,” she states.
Established in 1972 by celebrated investor Sir John Templeton, the Templeton Prize recognizes discoveries that yield new insights about religion and spirituality. Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s selection underscores the Prize’s commitment to honoring individuals who contribute to the deeper understanding of humanity’s purpose and place within the universe.
Throughout her career, Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela has received numerous accolades, including the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award, and the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship, among others. Her impactful publications, such as “A Human Being Died that Night” and “Memory, Narrative and Forgiveness,” continue to resonate globally, shedding light on the enduring power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, wishes Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela success in her current and future endeavors.
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