In many communities of the Durban South Basin, people struggle with legal issues related to housing, family, debt, crime, property, and other matters that affect their well-being. Those who are poor, geographically isolated, or otherwise vulnerable often cannot obtain assistance in solving their justice problems. They may suffer under discriminatory laws or lack the legal means to enforce norms that should protect them. Community-based programme initiatives, like DSCAC, contribute to helping communities that lack access to the legal system to resolve their justice and community-based issues.

Towards the end of 2020, a group of friends and concerned individuals got together, through a series of formal and informal meetings, to have discussions, centred around ‘community upliftment’. This space would operate as a legal entity with the ability to raise funds for projects and services that would benefit those in need.

Click here to read more about DSCAC.

On the 16th November 2023, the Faith Action to End GBV Collective launched an Interfaith Statement calling all South African faith leaders, activists, and people of faith to unite against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The campaign unites people from the Brahma Kumaris, the Baha’i faith, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, as well as Traditional Healers. Read the Interfaith Statement of Commitment here and follow the Collective here.

The ACT Alliance Gender Communities of Practice of Africa and Asia-Pacific co-hosted a session on  Women in Leadership & Gender Transformative Leadership.  This “conversatorio” or conversation  sought to share experiences, knowledge and strategies that strengthen gender-transformative leadership, in particular focussing on how ACT Alliance members are working to advance gender justice, women’s empowerment, and women’s rights agendas. Watch the zoom video of the conversation here.

We partnered with Faith 2 Action Network, ACT Alliance, and 7 other global faith organisations to convene an Inter-Religious Convention in Johannesburg in early December 2023. Over 160 faith leaders and activists from more than 25 countries across the globe spent three days deliberating on justice and peace, gender justice, and freedom of religious belief and inclusion. New relationships were created and old ones nurtured, and solidarity was deepened for those who find themselves in situations of injustice and oppression. The daily plenary sessions can be accessed on ACT Ubumbano’s YouTube channel. Highlights of these include Fr Peter John Pearson’s dynamic and challenging opening remarks on advocacy and solidarity, and Prof Sarojini Nadar’s powerful provocation on intersecting and inter-religious social justice struggles (God is not Christian, God is not male, God is not white).

You can see pictures of the Convention here.

Each year seems to get busier than the previous one, and 2023 proved no different. We hope that all your efforts at creating a different and more just world found some support and solidarity in the spaces where the ACT Ubumbano community congregates – online and in person. This community of activists, faith workers, and organisations seeks to build justice, inclusion, peace, and dignity in the places where we live and work. We celebrate that unwavering commitment and promise to stand with you in these struggles.

The ACT Ubumbano team has also been incredibly saddened and angered by the brutality of the genocide in Gaza. We hope that a ceasefire is put in place soon to enable some relief to reach those in need. We know there are many conflict zones in the world that need the solidarity of all who love justice, and we stand too with those who resist their dehumanization at the hands of the powerful.

Our small team – Thabo, Zanele, and Ashley – will be on holiday from 15 December until 8th January next year. We wish everyone a peaceful and restful festive break. For those who celebrate Christmas, may joy fill your hearts, and we hope you can spend Jesus’ birthday in loving communion with family, friends and community. Be reminded of his steadfast solidarity with and love for the poor and excluded.

2023 in pictures

The current Board of ACT Ubumbano is approaching the end of its first three-year term. As part of its commitment to renewal, it invites nominations of suitably qualified individuals to serve on the Board for at least the next three years.

Nomination Process
The nomination will comprise a brief letter with motivation for the nominee, the nominee’s cv, and confirmation of their agreement to be nominated. A person may nominate themselves. Nominations must be emailed only to ashley@actubumbano.org by 12h00 SAST on 30 November 2023.

Criteria
In addition to considering specialised skills and experience, the Board will look for candidates who have demonstrable commitment to social justice values and practice, experience in governance and leadership, are representative of the region’s diversity in terms of gender identity, geography, age, race, and who may have an association with institutions and movements committed to solidarity and social justice work.

This non-remunerated role requires attendance at the three Board meetings per year, two of which are held virtually.

After its final meeting for the year in October, our Board welcomed partners to engage in a dialogue with philanthropic organisations and embassies about supporting voice and agency. A lively debate with the 30+ participants was enriched with strong input from Vuyiswa Sidzumo from the Ford Foundation, Bheki Moyo from the Centre for African Philanthropy and Social Investment at Wits, and Zanele Makombe from ACT Ubumbano. There were some firm challenges put to funders to interrogate how their practice enhances or hinders solidarity with community struggles. We hope to have the video of the Conversation ready for public access in the next few weeks.

Click here to see pictures of the event.