Race and Responsibility in the 21st Century – What We Can Learn From South Africa

The Honorable LaJune Lange, Honorary Consul of South Africa in Minnesota and former District Court Judge; and Zintle Koza, Director of International Organizations at the National Treasury in South Africa, and former Humphrey Fellow, discuss how South Africa addressed a history of racism and the lingering effects of trauma and disadvantage, and how we might apply the lessons they learned right here in Minnesota.

About the Speakers

LaJune Thomas Lange served a distinguished career as judge in the Fourth Judicial District of Minnesota. Known for her international expertise in law and human rights, LaJune is an Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa in Minnesota and a senior fellow and member of the Wilkins Forum at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She also teaches critical perspectives on race at the University of St. Thomas Law School, serves as president of the International Leadership Institute, which focuses on issues of civic education and relationship building between new immigrants and long-term community residents of Asian, African American, and Hispanic origin. She has shared her expertise with legal education programs for the Family Court of Morocco and the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe.

Zintle Koza is an international relations practitioner with more than 13 years in the South African civil service. She currently serves as the Director of International Organizations at the National Treasury responsible for South Africa’s continued engagement with and participation in the World Economic Forum, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Previously, she served in the Foreign Service for 11 years and was responsible for portfolios that included the African Union and European Union.