CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND MEDIATION Introduction: Pre-elections Contextual Description The Mediation and Conflict Management Sub-Committee led by Independent Project Trust (IDP) of the KwaZulu-Natal Democracy Education Forum (KZNDEF) conducted the pre-elections training sessions in a volatile political situation. The pre-elections situation was highlighted by incidence of; political violence, racial violence, school problems such as lack of textbooks for the standard ten’s at that time of the year still, and farm workers being  ill treated and killed, faction fighting which normally turns [...]

A PASTORAL SHARING ON THE 2011 ELECTIONS Greetings The KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council, lead organization of the KZNDEF brings you greetings and encouragement at this time as we prepare for national and provincial elections. We pray that you will play whatever role you can in ensuring that the vote is free, fair and peaceful. Growing political intolerance We are concerned that political intolerance seems to be growing in many communities as we prepare for the local elections. It is important to [...]

Media Release When is an election free, when is it fair, and when does it provide undisputed credibility? Why is there an increased rate of electoral dispute cases adjudicated by courts? To what extent does the role of the election observers matter? These are some questions the newly formed civil society South African Democratic Election Network (SA-DEN) asks. Over the past two months, seasoned election observer civil society organisations from all nine provinces have met to discuss establishing a network [...]