As published by Ntombi Nkosi in the African Times
In a poignant seminar held at the University of South Africa (Unisa) on Wednesday, diplomats, academics, and global security experts gathered to mark 80 years since the establishment of the United Nations (UN) and the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The commemorative event, themed
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“The United Nations at 80: The Post-World War II Peace Architecture and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty”, served as both a tribute and a sobering assessment of the current global peace order.
Hosted in collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the seminar unpacked the legacy of the UN in maintaining global peace and examined growing concerns over nuclear weapons, ongoing conflicts, and the erosion of multilateralism in the 21st century.
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Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, underscored the historic significance of the UN’s founding in the aftermath of World War II. He said that while the UN was created to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” recent events in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe revealed troubling lapses in collective action.
“In the past year alone, we’ve witnessed a resurgence of militarised conflicts, human rights violations, and a renewed arms race,” Botes warned. “This challenges the very spirit of the UN Charter and calls into question the credibility of the international peace architecture we once believed to be unshakable.”
Botes reiterated South Africa’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, noting the country’s proud record as the only nation to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear arsenal. He called on nuclear-armed states to follow suit in upholding the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
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In her welcome remarks, Unisa Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula reflected on the UN’s moral authority and the urgent need to revisit its institutional structure. She argued that the Security Council, dominated by five permanent members with veto powers, no longer represents the realities of the modern geopolitical landscape.
“The peace architecture built in 1945 is outdated and insufficient in addressing the dynamics of a multipolar world,” said LenkaBula. “Africa continues to bear the brunt of global inequities while being excluded from critical decision-making tables.”
A high-level panel of experts took to the stage to critically examine the effectiveness of international peace mechanisms, with a strong emphasis on Africa’s security challenges and the risks posed by nuclear proliferation.
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Ms Mutsa Mugangavari, Deputy Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Southern Africa, highlighted the humanitarian consequences of war. She pointed to rising civilian casualties in armed conflicts across Sudan, the Sahel region, and Gaza as proof of the failure to protect innocent lives.
“The rules of war are being ignored with impunity,” Mugangavari said. “The Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law must be enforced—not just remembered.”
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Professor Angelo Dube, from the Unisa College of Law, raised concerns about the selective application of international law. He pointed to the unequal treatment of countries accused of war crimes, arguing that this undermines the credibility of the UN system.
“Some states act with impunity while others are subject to sanctions and international scrutiny,” Dube noted. “Without fairness, justice becomes an illusion.”
Ms Noxolo Kunene, President of Women in Nuclear South Africa (WINSA) and Senior Manager at NECSA, shifted the conversation to the technical and policy aspects of nuclear safety. She called for greater inclusion of women in nuclear policymaking and highlighted the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in medicine and energy, urging stakeholders not to conflate all nuclear activity with weaponisation.
“There is a critical need to educate and demystify nuclear science in the public sphere,” Kunene said. “But we must remain vigilant against any attempts to militarise this technology.”
Mr Joseph Dube, of the Institute of Disarmament and Arms Control, spoke about the growing militarisation of space and cyberspace, arguing that the arms race has expanded beyond traditional warfare.
“From AI-driven weapons systems to hypersonic missiles and cyberwarfare, we are entering a dangerous new frontier,” Dube said. “The NPT must evolve to address emerging threats before it’s too late.”
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The seminar concluded with a robust Q&A session, where students and civil society participants challenged speakers on South Africa’s role in global peace efforts and asked whether the UN could still be salvaged as an instrument of justice.
All speakers agreed on the urgent need for reform, enhanced multilateral cooperation, and a recommitment to disarmament principles. While opinions differed on strategy, the message was clear: 80 years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world must choose between escalation or diplomacy.
The event was attended by diplomats, academics, students, and media professionals, and it came just days before the 80th anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings on 6 and 9 August 1945 respectively—moments that remain stark reminders of humanity’s capacity for destruction.
In a time of growing instability and fractured alliances, the seminar served as a timely call to remember the founding ideals of the United Nations and to renew the fight for global peace and nuclear restraint.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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