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News

Changing the World - One Story at a Time

Our country is gearing up for the 2019 election and so predictably, the seeds of division are being sown. Racist rhetoric, polarisation, distortion of facts and even hate speech are going to be the order of the day for the next 12 to 18 months. This sets us back in our efforts to bring healing and restoration to our democracy. But there is a simple antidote that each of us can employ.

DDP CIVIC EDUCATION FOR ALL

Societies have long had an interest in the ways in which their young are prepared for citizenship and in how they learn to take part in civic life. Today that interest might better be described as a concernin fact as a growing concern, particularly in democratic societies. There is evidence aplenty that no country, including our own, has achieved the level of understanding and acceptance of the rights and responsibilities among the totality of its citizens that is required for the maintenance and improvement of any constitutional democracy.

DDP REACTS TO CR CALL TO ACTION

Newly elected president of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, ended his state of the Nation address with these words: “Thuma mina- (Send me) challenge quoted from the late Hugh Masikela’s song. And in doing so threw down the gauntlet to all of us in South Africa to be a part of this bold vision. Democracy Development Program (DDP) hosted a citizen conversation/ dialogue to unpack the challenge and what it means to civil society and ordinary SA citizens at the Elangeni hotel on the 14 March 2018. The dialogue was facilitated by DDP’S Executive Director Dr. Rama Naidu. According to DDP, this dialogue was the first of many that will follow, similarly to engage and provoke South African citizens to act and follow Ramaphosa’s call to action to #Thumamina #send me.

Re-igniting the Kwa-Zulu Natal Democracy and Election Forum

Democracy Development Program in partnership with the KZN Christian Council convened a meeting with civil society and religious leaders who have an interest in participating in a civil society entitative with regards to the upcoming national elections in South Africa. This was to provide among others, an understanding of the changing political context in KwaZul- Natal (particularly in relation to levels of violence and intimidation).

Creating Powerful Stories through social media and websites

This workshop was held at The Station Glenridge Church on the 27-28 February 2018. The workshop was facilitated by Rob Riedlinger from Monk Media. The aim of the workshop was to enhance CSOs capacities use websites and social media to advertise, interact with stakeholders and engage the community in various topics. According to the facilitator, regular updates and engagement of social media and websites (by NPO) can increase their chances of getting funding and other necessities they require to ensure the vision of that particular organisation A follow up workshop will be held, and will fully funded by DDP, later in March 2018.

Consultation with political parties in KZN

This consultation was convened by the Democracy Development Program, to identify biggest areas of concern for political parties in KZN and their needs in-terms of capacity building.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

What a start to the year! and a victory for the voice of citizens who made their voices heard in every corner of the country, across race, political parties and gender about holding our leaders to account. More than ever before, citizens across the country have begun to realize the cost of not taking an interest in the changing political landscape. Never again would we want to find ourselves in a place where elected leaders believe that they are not accountable to each one of us as citizens.

PROFILE OF BRIAN BHENGU - DDP'S SENIOR PROJECT CO-COORDINATOR

" The ability to ignite the interest of all levels of government and community is quite profound, and for the most part DDP does that exceedingly well for me in my years of knowing and collaborating with them. I wish you (DDP) nothing but strength and success moving forward."

Political Forum with Aubrey Matshiqi

The Democracy Development Program held its last political forum for the year at the Diakonia Centre on 06 December. The forum was facilitated by renowned political analyst Aubrey Matshiqi whose focus was mostly on the upcoming ANC elective conference and exploring possibilities of how the outcomes of the conference might affect the country.

3RD ANNUAL KZNCSOC CONFERENCE

The KwaZulu-Natal Civil Society Coalition (KZNCSOC) hosted its third annual conference on 20-21 September 2017. The conference took place at the Garden Court Marine Parade in Durban and was sponsored by the Democracy Development Program (DDP). This year’s theme was “Stronger Together” which focused on the state of civil society in KwaZulu Natal and the building of partnerships within the sector.

DDP ACTS ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

"On average, one in five South African women older than 18 has experienced physical violence, but the picture of gender-based attacks varies according to marital status and wealth. Four in 10 divorced. This emerged in Statistics SA’s 2016 Demographic and Health Survey released on 15 May 2017," reported the Daily Maverick.

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH DIALOGUE AND CONVERSATIONS

This workshop brought together potential community facilitators from DDP partner organisations to experience a different developmental way to work in communities. This approach is underscored by the importance attached to the stories that people hold about each other, their communities and how they relate to the world.

3rd Annual Youth Indaba Conference

The Democracy Development Program hosted its 3rd Annual Youth Indaba on Wednesday to Thursday June 14-15 at the Diakonia Centre in Durban. This Indaba themed “Creating a Youth Led Vision for South Africa” and “Social and Systematic Change; Towards a Youth Friendly Economy”, brought together youth from various parts of KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Eastern Cape

Train the Trainer Workshop

The workshop focused on teaching and training community builders, youth as well as organisation leaders on how to conduct and facilitate dialogues, workshops and forums in their respective fields and communities.

FREEDOM MONTH ACTIVITY POSTER

Hi there DDP friends! Kindly see the dates, venues and times for the Freedom Month dialogues happening in your community. Attend and make sure your voice is heard!

Social Entrepreneurship: Becomimg a Social Change Innovator.

This workshop took place at the La Vita Hotel in Durban on 30-30 March 2017. The workshop focused on step by step training of the youth to become social entrepreneurs, from finding a need or niche in their community, to the planning, implementing and funding of their chosen ventures. This training was done by social entrepreneur Sithembiso Ndlovu of MSA Lead, a network of successful and skilled social entrepreneurs.

Voices of Our Future: How Citizen Journalists Can Hold Us Accountable

Citizen journalists play an important role in society because they often provide a different perspective on events compared to those circulated by the mainstream media. Traditionally, only a select few were able to publish; now, anyone with a smartphone can publish anything, anywhere and at anytime.

Folweni Community Dialogue- Human Rights Month

The Folweni community Dialogue took place at the Folweni Community Resources Centre (FCRC) on 20 March 2017. This dialogue focused on the various issues that affected the community. At the end of the dialogue the community committed to focusing on improving the education of their children, ways of gaining economic freedom and keeping their community clean.