June 2024: Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela – African Female Researcher of the Month
Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, an esteemed psychologist and professor, has been honored with the 2024 Templeton Prize. She holds the position of South African National Research Foundation’s Chair in Violent Histories and Transgenerational Trauma and serves as the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest at Stellenbosch University. Her pioneering work on trauma and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa has significantly contributed to the global understanding of social healing after conflict.
Heather Templeton Dill, president of the John Templeton Foundation, praised Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s profound impact on societal healing, emphasizing her role in promoting hope, compassion, and reconciliation. Gobodo-Madikizela’s notable contributions include her involvement in South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where she worked to address apartheid’s injustices, and her influential book “A Human Being Died That Night,” which explores the complexities of forgiveness.
Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the opportunity to further her research on human transformation and the preservation of human dignity. Her concept of “the reparative quest” underscores her lifelong commitment to healing the psychological scars of apartheid and other traumas.
Born in 1955 in Langa, South Africa, Gobodo-Madikizela’s early experiences under apartheid deeply influenced her work. She pursued her education in psychology, earning degrees from the University of Fort Hare, Rhodes University, and the University of Cape Town. Her career includes prestigious roles and numerous awards, reflecting her dedication to addressing historical trauma and promoting justice and reconciliation.
The Templeton Prize, established in 1972, recognizes individuals whose work advances the understanding of human purpose and the universe. Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela joins past laureates such as Desmond Tutu and Jane Goodall, continuing the tradition of celebrating exceptional contributions to human flourishing.
For more details on Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela’s work and achievements, please visit the Templeton Prize website.
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
