Who we are

The Democracy Development Program (DDP) is committed to strengthening democratic values and practices within South Africa, with a focus on empowering communities to actively participate in the political and governance processes.

By fostering a deeper understanding of democratic principles, the DDP seeks to cultivate an engaged citizenry that is well-informed, involved, and capable of challenging and holding government officials and institutions accountable. Through various initiatives, the program works to build strong, resilient communities that not only understand their rights but also possess the tools and confidence to demand transparency, justice, and good governance from those in power.

Ultimately, the DDP envisions a South Africa where democracy is not just a system of government, but a way of life that ensures inclusivity, fairness, and accountability for all.

Accompaniment is our process. Community is our product. We live & reflect core values:

Ubuntu
Commitment & mutual benefit
Equity and respect

Mission

The Democracy Development Program (DDP) aims to deepen the practice of democracy in South Africa. We build strong and active communities that can hold those in power to account. Since our beginning in 1993 we have achieved this mission by:

Encouraging citizen engagement with burning issues in politics and development.
Holding public and political forums that encourage peaceful and constructive dialogue.Providing democracy education.
Observing elections.
Strengthening civil society and community voices.
Building functional and effective relationships between communities and local government.

Vision

To mobilise citizen action for positive change in society which encourages co-creating a world of possibilities.

We advocate for:

An active, informed and involved citizenry contributing toward a transformed society and responsive government through a strong, organized civil society that actively promotes a culture of democracy and supports the development of connected, purposeful and active communities.

Values

DDP Staff

Paul Kariuki - Executive Director

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) and a post-doctorate from the University of Airlangga, Indonesia. His research interests are governance, digital transformation, public participation, elections, electronic governance, local government, migration, cybersecurity, technology adoption, monitoring, and evaluation in the public sector. He has published research articles in peer-reviewed journals in these areas of interest and co-edited several books on various themes. Furthermore, he is a guest reviewer of several journals in Africa and abroad and a regular contributor to various social and political issues in the mainstream electronic and print media in South Africa and abroad.

Sphamandla Mhlongo - Senior Programmes Officer

Sphamandla currently serves as the Programmes Officer at the DDP In this portfolio, he is responsible for the implementation of projects that have an impact on the capacity of community based organizations, on interacting with local municipalities in KwaZulu Natal province, as well as representing the organization in various forums and conferences.

Trish Nyarhi - Senior Bookkeeper

Trish is a Senior Bookkeeper. She has a Diploma in Accounting. She posses’ strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on good client service and keeping a good working culture. She has acquired extensive knowledge in the accounting and administration fields for over 2 decades. Always thriving to expand her knowledge and become the best version of herself.

Suraksha Singh - Head of Admin & Operations

Suraksha completed her degree in BCom Financial Management, Diploma in Business Studies & CIS Professional Qualification: Management & Administration. She is responsible for the operations and overall project administration at DDP. Her strengths are in budget reporting, events coordination, operations, project & office administration.

Mbalenhle Mkhize - Partner Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement Officer

Mbalenhle is currently working as a Partner Liaison Officer at Democracy Development Program. She has obtained two degrees from the University of KZN. She firstly completed her first degree in 2013 with a Bachelor of Social Science as well as Bachelor of Social Science Honours Public Policy in 2014. She is passionate about youth development, political science & policy making.

Yolokazi Mfuto – Comms Strategist

Yolokazi Mfuto is a Youth holistic Development enthusiast who is passionate about the struggle against socio-economic, political and health challenges that affect young people. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communication, History and Political Sciences, an honours degree in Political Sciences and International Relations both from the University of Fort Hare.

DDP Board Members

Dr. Devi Moodley Rajab

Chairperson of the DDP Board, Dr. Rajab was educated in SA & in the USA as a Fulbright scholar. She obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Kansas & her PhD in Social Psychology from Missouri. She lectured in Social Psychology for seven years at the University of Durban-Westville & was registered as a Counselling Psychologist with the Health Services Council of SA.

Ms. Menaka Padayachee

Menaka is the Director of the Workplace Unit, an organisation that facilitates adult basic education classes in Durban. She holds a B.A social science honours degree from Glasgow Caledonian University in United Kingdom.

Judge C.N Patel

B Juris, LLB, LLM, Barrister(Lincoln’s Inn). Judge Patel served as Judge President of KZN from 2012 to 2014. He also served as Judge of Appeal on the Competition Appeal Court & the Labour Appeal Court. Have lectured at the then University of Botswana & Swaziland & thereafter at the then University of Natal. He joined the Natal Society of Advocates in 1987 & took silk in 1997.

Dr. Heather Thuynsma

She holds a BA & BA Honours from University of the Witwatersrand, received her MA in Applied Politics & attended the Women’s Campaign School at the Yale Law School to complete her specialisation in fundraising & political campaign strategy. She has published articles on human rights education for the UN & on SA's political campaigns & electoral strategy for the Electoral Institute of SA.

Mr. Lukhona Mnguni

Lukhona holds a Bachelor of Community & Development Studies & an Honours Degree in Conflict Transformation & Peace Studies, both from the University of KZN. Lukhona is committed to education & seeing every child in SA getting a fair chance to be educated to high standards of quality, irrespective of where they are born. Mnguni was one of the guest speakers in the KZN Provincial Strategy Planning workshop.

Mr. Nickolaus Bauer

As an award-winning journalist, I hunt down the truth & hold power to account in SA’s young democracy. Specialising in politics & business, I currently ply my trade for eNCA, SA’s only independently owned 24-hour TV news service. In 2012 I co-founded Dlala Nje, an organization that challenges negative perceptions about inner city Johannesburg & creates opportunities to the youth within these areas.

Prof. Dilip M Menon

Historian and currently Professor of History in the International Relations Dept of the University of Witwatersrand and the Founder- Director of the Centre for Indian Studies in Africa. He works on the social and intellectual history of modern India, oceanic histories and the implications of global warming, and theory from the global south. His recent works include the co- edited volumes with prof Nishat Zaidi Ocean as Method (Routledge, 2022) and Cosmopolitan Cultures and Oceanic Thought (2022) and the edited volume Changing Theory: Thinking from the Global South (Routledge, 2021). He is currently involved in an ERC project on India’s Politics in its Vernaculars with 19 academics working on South Asia who engage with 19 Indian languages.

Ms. Nandi Mandela

Ms. Nandi Mandela is a seasoned professional with over 32 years of experience across diverse fields, including corporate sector management, development consulting, property development, and stakeholder management. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Cape Town and has furthered her education with certifications in Strategic Management and Associate-In-Management. Throughout her illustrious career, Ms. Mandela has demonstrated a passion for driving impactful projects that benefit communities at various levels of society, particularly in the areas of development facilitation, corporate social investment programs, and housing construction. As the director of Linda Masinga & Associates, a town planning and development consultancy, and a founding member of Natholigugu Investment, Ms. Mandela has spearheaded significant projects, including the development of housing and infrastructure projects in South Africa.

Who we are

who we are

we are

DDP Staff

Paul Kariuki - Executive Director

Sphamandla Mhlongo - Senior Programmes Officer

Trish Nyarhi - Senior Bookkeeper

Suraksha Singh - Head of Admin & Operations

Sthabiso Mdledle - Communications Officer

Mbalenhle Mkhize - Partner Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement Officer

Yolokazi Mfuto – Comms Strategist

Tyesha Pillay – Comms Strategist

Nyasha Mpani – Parliamentary Program Intern

Thelma Nyarhi – Research Intern

Amanda Ngqwala – Admin Assistant / Receptionist

Edna Sikhakhane - Office Assistant