ddp-logoddp-logoddp-logoddp-logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who we are
    • Our partners
    • Our Impact
    • The History of DDP
  • OUR WORK
    • Connecting Communities – Our Theory of Change
    • Citizen Engagement Program
    • CSO Mentoring and Strengthening Program
    • Community of Practice
    • Democracy, Voter & Civic Education
    • Open Society Foundation Project
    • Parliamentary Program
    • Political Party Capacity Development
    • Traditional Leadership, Politics, And Governance
    • Women in Politics
    • Youth in Democracy Programme
  • EVENTS
    • Current Events
    • Past Events
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • Annual Reports
    • DDP Manuals
    • Media Statements
    • Newsletters
    • Podcasts/Talk Shows
    • Publications
  • CONTACT US
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who we are
    • Our partners
    • Our Impact
    • The History of DDP
  • OUR WORK
    • Connecting Communities – Our Theory of Change
    • Citizen Engagement Program
    • CSO Mentoring and Strengthening Program
    • Community of Practice
    • Democracy, Voter & Civic Education
    • Open Society Foundation Project
    • Parliamentary Program
    • Political Party Capacity Development
    • Traditional Leadership, Politics, And Governance
    • Women in Politics
    • Youth in Democracy Programme
  • EVENTS
    • Current Events
    • Past Events
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • Annual Reports
    • DDP Manuals
    • Media Statements
    • Newsletters
    • Podcasts/Talk Shows
    • Publications
  • CONTACT US
  • SUBSCRIBE
✕
DOOR TO DOOR FOUNDATION
June 6, 2019
MINORITY FRONT COUNCILLOR SHARES HOW DDP SHAPED HIS GROWTH
June 6, 2019

SPRINGBOARD MINISTRIES

Published by DDP Admin on June 6, 2019
Categories
  • Our Impact
Tags

By Jais Mbewe: A more strategic partnership to strengthen our democracy.

With the end of apartheid in 1994, most civic organizations and regional organizations went into sleep. However, due to the changing nature of the challenges which are now mostly the lack of proper understanding by the citizens of how democracy works; a significant problem is consistently posed, of how the citizens can hold its government accountable and most importantly is how people can put a demand on the constitution for proficient service delivery.

This new situation means that civic organizations or NGOs are more and more beginning to reconsider how best to meet the challenges that South Africa is faced with and Partnering is one vital thing that should be prevalent.

On April 3, 2018, DDP conducted a three day stay-in workshop with its partners at Blue Marlin Hotel to specifically strengthen partnerships and train facilitators for civic education dialogues. It was such an excellent workshop of skills enrichment of how to facilitate a dialogue and a practical display of how to do it by Mr. Brian Bhengu.

It suffices to mention that Spring-Board Ministries has immensely benefited from the programs by DDP. Ours is to advocate for safer communities with a strong bias towards the rights of children through programs, research and writing material that enhances child development. However, we have been able to reach more adults through the children.

It is common knowledge that facilitating a dialogue that involves children can be quite challenging; it is much easier to do the obvious which is to sit them down and give them a lesson.

On the contrary, we have learnt the art of conversation, which is Listening – Reflect – Enquire – Speak.

“Ukushisa Impepho” translated as burning incense is the Zulu phrase which has become synonymous with Protest activity. The phrase denotes people burning tiyers and property for attention from those who are perceived to be far from the people they govern. This model has been a feature of the South African space for decades.

It goes without saying that protests are a great tool in creating awareness and highlighting issues faced by our communities. However, it is easy to mobilize people to march without a plan for what happens next and how to keep protesters engaged and integrated in the solution finding process. We need to strive to have both, marches and sober and yet robust dialogues that speak directly to the challenges and the short comings that we are faced with as a nation. There is a great need for our nation to learn the art of conversation.

Share
1
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /usr/www/users/ddpormvnrt/blog/wp-content/themes/betheme/includes/content-single.php on line 286 DDP Admin
DDP Admin

Related posts

June 10, 2022

DDP’s Communications Strategist graduated with BA Political Science Honours


Read more

Miss Thobeka Khubisa, DDP Associated Facilitator and Founder of Thobeka Khubisa Foundation.

April 26, 2022

Lead(H)ership: Amplifying girls’ voices- Thobeka Khubisa


Read more

University of Cape Town PhD candidate, and DDP parliamentary program intern, Nyasha Mpani

February 24, 2022

DDP Parliamentary Program Intern graduates with a Masters degree.


Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF DEEPENING DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

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.

WHO WE ARE

An organization that promotes active citizen engagement in public life to hold those who are in power accountable.

WHERE WE ARE

32 Dullah Omar Lane (Masonic Grove), DDP House, 2nd Floor, Durban 4001

FOLLOW US

Connect with DDP on social media
Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on Linked InFollow Us on TikTokFollow Us on Spotify