On 03 August 2026 the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Dr Vasu Gounden, participated as a panellist in the inaugural Own Wisdom and Lead (OWL) and AMP Student Debate Series, held at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre. The theme for the discussion was ‘The general state of affairs in South Africa ahead of the elections.’
The event forms part of a broader effort by OWL and AMP, in partnership with the Maurice Webb Race Relations Unit and UKZN, to create platforms for critical dialogue among the next generation of South African leaders and thinkers.
Dr Gounden was joined on the panel by Professor Emeritus Paulus Zulu, Director of the Maurice Webb Race Relations Unit at UKZN, and Mr Thabani Zulu (CA), Chief Executive Officer of Stella Lumen. The discussion was moderated by Ms Lynette Ntuli.
Panellists engaged in a candid assessment of South Africa’s current political and social trajectory, with discussions centring on governance, institutional resilience, and social cohesion as the country approaches the polls. Dr Gounden was also invited to reflect more broadly on the causes of conflict and the role of institutions across the continent, drawing on his experience in African mediation and peacebuilding.
The panel drew a strong turnout of student participants in the debate series, reflecting the kind of engaged, critical thinking ACCORD seeks to encourage in the next generation of African leaders and peacebuilders.
