Anti-apartheid influencer to address Hume Foundation summit

South African influencer, Candice Mama hugged and forgave the former police officer who murdered her father.

A South African human rights’ campaigner who forgave the apartheid police commander who murdered her father has been announced as keynote speaker at an even in Derry.

Organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation along with Ulster University, “forgiveness Redefined – In Conversation with Candice Mama” will take place at Ulster University’s Magee campus on Thursday April 25 (6.30pm).

Candice Mama’s father was murdered by South African police commander Eugene de Kock when she was just eight months old, as the country’s apartheid system was starting to fall apart. In 2014, she met her father’s killer through a victim-perpetrator dialogue project and she told De Kock she forgave him and hugged him.

Ms Mama (29) has been named as one of the world’s top 33 inspiring women by Vogue Magazine, along with actor, Nicole Kidman and former US first lady, Michelle Obama. She has also been named by the African Union and United Nations as one of the top 20 African women who have contributed to building peace on the continent.

Hume Foundation secretary, Tim Attwood said Thursday’s conference would be attended by 80 young people from both sides of the border and would discuss peace, reconciliation and the need for an inclusive pace plan.

“This is part of a programme of events called ‘Peace Summit 2024′ to address the unfinished business of peace and reconciliation on the island and encourage the NI Executive to develop an inclusive peace plan as the foundation stone of a new programme for government,” Mr Attwood said.

Anyone wishing to attend the conference can register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/forgiveness-redefined-in-conversation-with-candice-mama-tickets-869328022517