As a network of organised Civil Society Organisations (comprised of Faith-Based Organisations, Community-Based Organisations, and Non-Governmental Organisations in different parts of South Africa), we are deploying 5000 election observers and conflict mediators in the 9 provinces of South Africa. Special focus is deployment to the hot spot areas in the various provinces. The main organisations deploying the observers and mediators in a coordinated effort in all the provinces include KZNCC, South African Council of churches, and Defend Our Democracy. The [...]

Introductory background – Since April 2024 KwaZulu Natal Christian Council and South African Democracy Election Network and #Unmute Civil Society supported by Kagiso Trust initiated weekly workshops and dialogues to mobilise various constituencies such as; (i) churches, (ii) farms, (iii) traditional leaders, (iv) tertiary institutions, (v) rural areas and (vi) townships. The mobilisation was to rollout educational sessions on the following areas: (i) Voter and balloting education, (ii) civic and democracy education, (iii) mediation and conflict resolution, (iv) lobbying and [...]

In most voters and democracy education workshops and discussions across the districts, so many questions were raised. Here I list a few key and issues raised by various stakeholder who called for serious mobilisation for awareness and solidarity action on electoral and constitutional reforms on the following areas:Problems of the Electoral System of Proportional Representation: The current proportional representation system was heavily debated. Most people felt that the proportional representation system does not effectively represents the interests of all citizens. [...]

https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/clerics-step-in-to-forge-peace-between-anc-ifp-leaders-in-kzn-20240419

https://scrolla.africa/kzn-church-leaders-call-for-peace-between-king-pm-and-anc/