On 07 November 2016 the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Vasu Gounden, participated in the programme for the above Award ceremony in his capacity as a Board Member of the Gandhi Development Trust. The Award was presented to Dr Bernard LaFayette Jr, of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in recognition of his work towards the promotion of peace, reconciliation and justice locally and internationally in his capacity as a Civil Rights Activist. Dr LaFayette Jr worked with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, led the youth demonstrations and later the Nashville demonstration for the right to vote, which resulted in a prison term. He has also worked in Soweto promoting and training both activists and police personnel in the use of non-violent methodologies.
In addition to the above Award six (6) individuals were nominated to receive the Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha Award, including ACCORD Trustee Professor Jairam Reddy, who received the Award in recognition of the work that he has done, and continues to do, towards the transformation of the higher education sector in South Africa. The other Awardees included The Honourable Minister Pravin Gordhan; Advocate Thuli Madonsela; Dr Richard Turner (Posthumous); Mr Shaka Sisulu and Judge Albie Sachs.
The Mahatma Gandhi Peace and Reconciliation Award, first launched in 2002, is awarded annually by the Gandhi Development Trust. The Award recognizes extraordinary individuals who dedicate their lives to the causes of peace and reconciliation both within South Africa and beyond. In 2014 the Chairperson of ACCORD’s Board of Trustees, Madame Graca Machel, accepted the Mahatma Gandhi Peace and Reconciliation Award on behalf of ACCORD, in recognition of its then twenty two years of work in promoting peace and the constructive resolution of disputes globally. Madame Machel also received the Award in her personal capacity for her renowned global advocacy on behalf of women and children’s rights, as well as for her work as a social and political activist.
