In Memoriam: Dr Casper Lotter (by Bert Olivier and Anné Verhoef)

35 views
Skip to first unread message

Anne Verhoef

unread,
Mar 13, 2026, 10:48:54 AMMar 13
to zap...@googlegroups.com

In Memoriam – Casper Lötter             

 

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing-away of my erstwhile PhD-student, fellow philosopher and friend, Dr Casper Lötter, after suffering a serious heart attack on Tuesday 10 March 2026. Casper had evidently been in poor health for some time, and the stress caused by the fact that he had also been unemployed lately could have precipitated the heart failure.

 

I knew Casper for several decades - although he was a student in the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Elizabeth (now NMU), he studied philosophy from his first year, eventually completing his Master's degree (cum laude) in philosophy at UPE (with myself as his supervisor), on conceptions of ‘m/otherhood’ in the West and in Chinese culture – with a view to demonstrating how much western women (including feminists) can learn from Chinese women I this regard.

 

A few years later a PhD. was conferred on him by the University of the Free State (where I was his promoter). His thesis concerned the striking state of affairs, that one witnesses a high degree of successful social integration of ex-prisoners in China, in contrast to the fact that the degree of recidivism on the part of ex-prisoners in western countries is much higher. If this seems like a straightforward comparative study, the impression is quickly dissipated by noting that he employed poststructuralist theory from Derrida and Lacan to demonstrate the complexities involved in transplanting signifiers from one cultural situation to another. Needless to say, Casper's study enabled him to make apposite recommendations for the South African situation.

 

Subsequent to completing his PhD., Casper engaged in research with a view to publishing, which he managed to do successfully in both academic journals and popular media such as the Mail and Guardian’s Thought Leader website. What made Casper unique as a scholar and researcher, was his ability to straddle philosophy, criminology and cultural studies, which was further strengthened by his first-hand experience of an Asian culture, namely that of China. (He was married to a Chinese lady from Shanghai for some time, and visited the country more than once.)

 

Moreover, the research community in South Africa is poorer in his absence, particularly because, unlike most academics, Casper was not afraid to challenge orthodoxy in situations where one might ruffle some more conventional feathers. He was what was known as a parrhesiastes in ancient Greece – a ‘truth-teller’. 

 

His first wife, Selena, has described Casper as ‘quite a character’, which is apt, considering his unorthodox appearance, behaviour, and way of living. Unless one knew Casper, you could easily be disconcerted on first encountering him, and I don’t mean this in a derogatory sense; he was, simply put, a colourful personality who will be sorely missed by his friends.

 

Bert Olivier

 

After completing his PhD at the University of the Free State (UFS), Casper was appointed as a postdoctoral fellow at the North West University (NWU), where I served as his supervisor from 2020 through the end of 2025. During his tenure at NWU, Casper became an active member of the philosophy community, making valuable contributions to colloquia and conferences, and serving as a critical reader and mentor to numerous postgraduate students.

 

Casper faced both cardiovascular disease and advanced diabetes, which, as he put it, meant he "did not function optimally." Nevertheless, during his five years as a postdoctoral fellow at NWU, Casper was an exceptionally productive researcher. He published 26 peer-reviewed articles and several additional thought pieces in that period. By September 2025, he had another seven articles submitted, all at various stages of the peer review process. His writing spanned a broad range of topics, consistently maintaining the highest academic standards and aiming to promote a more just world. Justice—especially for formerly incarcerated individuals—was always deeply important to him.

 

During the five years that Casper worked as my postdoctoral fellow, he became a close friend to me and several colleagues. Although he was a few years older than I, he called me “pa.” Initially, this felt odd, but I later understood it was his way of showing respect and expressing trust in me. This feeling was mutual; I respected and trusted Casper and grew to appreciate his sharp intellect, unique sense of humour, honesty, and sincerity. The loss of Casper is significant—we have lost a remarkable philosopher and an exceptional individual. He will be greatly missed.

 

Anné Verhoef

The attached photo was taken end of 2023 when Casper received the NWU Award for the most productive postdoctoral fellow. From left to right: Amantle Mothelesi, Aragorn Eloff, Chantelle Gray, Anné Verhoef, Casper Lotter, Zander Janse van Rensburg and Jean du Toit.

 

Peer reviewed publications by Dr Casper Lötter (2019 to September 2025)

 

  1. Lötter C. (2019) Vrygelate gevangenes behoort as gevangenispersoneel aangestel te word: Kan Suid-Afrika leer by hierdie nuwe internasionale tendens? [Ex-offenders should be appointed as prison wardens: Can South Africa learn from this new international trend?] Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe 59(4): 493-511. https://doi.10.17159/2224-7912/2019/v59n4a3.

 

  1. Lötter C. (2020a) Critical Theory’s role in enhancing Praxis in post-apartheid SA: The Case for a Critical Criminology. Acta Academica 2020 52(2): pp. 106-130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18820/24150479/aa52i2/6 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2020b) ʼn Pleidooi vir die kriminalisering van stigma teen vrygelate gevangenes in Suid-Afrika [A plea for the criminalisation of stigma against ex-offenders in South Africa.] KOERS Journal for Christian Scholarship, 85(1): April 2020, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.19108 85.1.2470  .

 

  1. Lötter C. (2020c) The Tenuous Link Between Crime and Incarceration: Bosasa’s Public-Private Partnership. Phronimon, 21(2): October 2020, pp. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.25159/2413-3086/7000 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2021a) Die transformasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse gevangeniswese tot ’n openbare instelling met positiewe vrede as waardestelsel. [Transforming the prison system in South Africa into a public institution with positive peace underlying its values.] Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 61(4-2): 1235- 1259. https://doi.10.17159/2224-7912/2021/v61n4-2a?  

 

  1. Lötter C. (2021b) The Waning of Vision’s Hegemony: A Phenomenological perspective on mother-daughter discord in patriarchal societies. Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 21(1): May 2021, pp. 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1080/20797222.2021.1930694

 

  1. Lötter C. (2021c) ‘n Chinese padkaart vir die hervestiging van vrygelate gevangenis: ’n Gevallestudie [A Chinese Road Map to Offender Re-entry: A Case Study.] Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 61(2): June 2021, pp. 490-506 http://ojs.tgwsak.co.za/index.php/TGW/article/view/272/259 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2021d) Rebel Discourse(s) on Gender as Demonstrated by Contemporary and Historical Chinese Marriage Practices. Phronimon, vol. 20: 2021, 20 pages. https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.25159/2413-3086/9177 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2022a) Does Economic Restructuring during Covid-19 in South Africa amount to Disaster Capitalism? Phronimon 23(1): 25 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2413-3086/10503 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2022b) Judging the Holy Cow: Examining the Role of Implicit Bias in Judicial Rulings – An Analysis of the Decision in Mbena v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services 2015 4 All SA 361 (ECP). Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 25, (Published 28 July 2022) pp 1 – 29. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2022/v25i0a12743 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2022c) China se lang, onvoltooide twintigste eeu en die moontlike gevolge wat dit vir Afrika inhou. [China’s long, unfinished twentieth century and its possible implications for Africa.] Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe 62(3): 543-567. doi.10.17159/2224-7912/2022/v62n3a6 http://ojs.tgwsak.co.za/index.php/TGW/article/view/365 

 

  1. Haines R. & Lötter C. (2022d) Bridging the Divide in Cultural Capital? A Tale of Two Capitals. KOERS — Bulletin for Christian Scholarship, 87(1). https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.253 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2022e) Die transformasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse gevangeniswese tot ’n openbare instelling met positiewe vrede as waardestelsel. [Transforming the prison system in South Africa into a public institution with positive peace underlying its values.] Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 61(4-2): 1235-1259 http://tgwsak.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TGW-61-4-2-DES-2021.pdf 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2022f) Het oortreders ’n reg tot hervorming of eerder ’n reg tot ’n hervorming-gedrewe omgewing? [Are Offenders entitled to a Right to Rehabilitation or rather to a Rehabilitation-driven Environment?] Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 62(4): 830-852. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9d33/a4b265a56f331e6e384067ae14ab912e4ea2.pdfhttps://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9d33/a4b265a56f331e6e384067ae14ab912e4ea2.pdf

 

  1. Lötter C. & Bradshaw G. (2022g) Reconceptualising Afrophobia in post-apartheid South Africa: a conflict transformational perspective. Acta Academica 54(2): 1–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/24150479/aaxxx 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2022h) A Cross-cultural feminist analysis of dominant discourse on modern Chinese marriage: Is Personal still political? Phronimon 23(1): 26 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2413-3086/10037 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2023a) Habermas and the Caring Society: A Trans-disciplinary Feminist critique: Koers, 88 (1): 14 pages. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.88.1.2544 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2023b) Is die strafrehabilitasieparadigma ontslape in Suid Afrika? ‘n Besinning oor moontlike beleidsformulering. [Is the rehabilitation paradigm redundant in South African corrections? The implications for public policy formulation]. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe 63(3):655-685. http://ojs.tgwsak.co.za/index.php/TGW/article/view/426/410 

 

  1. Lötter C. (2023c) Gentle Justice’ reduces Recidivism and Incarceration: The Finnish Experience. Phronimon, 25 pages. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/2413-3086/13232 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2024a) The Constitutional Case Against the Mandatory Vaccine Policy — An Interdisciplinary South African Perspective. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 27, pp 1–38. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2024/v27i0a14109 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2024b) Die verskynsel van kindermoord deur die moeder krities heroorweeg binne ’n kruiskulturele raamwerk {The phenomenon of maternal fi licide reconsidered critically within a cross-cultural framework]. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 64(1): pp 110-128. https://doi.10.17159/2224-7912/2024/v64n1a6  

 

  1. Lötter, C. (2024c) Critiquing South Africa's General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill: Drawing Lessons from Germany's Comprehensive Surveillance Oversight. Obiter, 45(4), 936-957.http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1682-58532024000400009&lng=en&tlng=en

 

  1. Lötter, C. (2024d) Repurposing Fear in Contemporary South African Culture – a Critical Criminological Perspective. Phronimon 25: 29 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2413-3086/16153 

 

  1. Lӧtter C., & Bradshaw, G. (2024e). Recent prison protests/ riots in South Africa reimagined with different outcomes: A conflict management perspective. South African Crime Quarterly, 73, 2-25. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2024/vn73a19277 

 

  1. Lӧtter C. (2025a) A Comparative Critique of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020: Positioning South Africa vis-à-vis Australia. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 28, pp 1-32. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2025/v28i0a17035 

 

  1. Lötter, C. (2025b) “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer!” South African hate speech re-evaluated within a poststructuralist perspective. South African Journal of Philosophy, 44(1), 30–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/02580136.2025.2462435 

 

  1. Lötter, C. (2025c) Konteks en bedoeling – besinning oor die Hoogste Hof van Appél se haatspraakuitspraak: Vonnisbespreking. Litnet Regswetenskappe 2025 21(3) https://www.litnet.co.za/vonnisbespreking-konteks-en-bedoeling-besinning-oor-die-hoogste-hof-van-appel-se-haatspraakuitspraak/ 

 

  1. Lötter, C. (2025d) A History of the Indian community of Malabar in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha): cultural continuity and change: 1965–1994. South African Journal of Cultural History 39(1), June/Junie 2025 pp 162–186. https://doi.org/10.54272/sach.2025.v39n1a7 

 

Anné

 

Latest publication: Happiness, Unhappiness and Chance

 

Prof Anné H. Verhoef DTh (SU Stell.) PhD (VU Amst.)

Director: NWU Artificial Intelligence Hub

Professor in Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities

North-West University

South Africa

Tel: 018 299 1569

Artificial Intelligence | services.nwu.ac.za

Anné Hendrik Verhoef (researchgate.net)

      

 



 

 

NWU PRIVACY STATEMENT:
http://www.nwu.ac.za/it/gov-man/disclaimer.html

DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message and attachments thereto are intended solely for the recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorised review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received the e-mail by mistake, please contact the sender or reply e-mail and delete the e-mail and its attachments (where appropriate) from your system.
20230608_204426.jpg
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages