Each year the Church Land Programme, in partnership with Christian Aid, invites church leaders from the United Kingdom and Southern Africa to an exchange programme in KwaZulu Natal. This time of sharing provides an opportunity to engage with scripture and the realities of our current contexts, and enables reflection on global perspectives of social justice, and inspires us to reimagine and shape our social justice praxis. It is a journey of faith and solidarity, and it is called Uhambo – the journey. This year Zanele spent a week on this journey. You can see a few pictures here, and hopefully some reflections on this journey will follow in the future.

Women In Need Organisation was established in September 2020 by Dorothy Mabelebele, a like-minded individual who felt there was a void in communication within the communities of South Africa and International countries. While researching issues affecting Women and Children it was quite overwhelming to find out that Gender-Based Violence is the major issue affecting both Women and Children, both South Africans and Migrants. Women In Need Organisation is led by six black women from different backgrounds.

Click here to read more about Women In Need Organisation.

The Other Foundation invites applications for grants from organizations in thirteen eligible southern African countries to support work that advances or defends the freedom, equality, and social and economic inclusion of homosexual and bisexual women and men, and transgender and intersex people.

The thirteen eligible countries from which grant applications will be accepted are Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The closing date for submission of applications is Sunday 22 October 2023.

Click here to read more and apply.

The in-country Learning Hubs have proved to be interesting spaces for reflection among local activists and organisations working for social justice. The convenings in Matsapha, Swaziland and Johannesburg were followed by Hubs in Cape Town, RSA and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The Cape Town session had 18 participants from KwaZulu Natal and the three Cape provinces, as well as from Mozambique as we try to build new connections in that country. A very youthful Hub was facilitated by Zodwa Nsibande, Quincy Fynn, and Tomas Queface. In Bulawayo, Khumbulani Maphosa and Taurai Mafundikwa facilitated deep reflection with the 17 participants on the relationship between CSOs and the communities they serve.

All the Hubs generated interesting insights into the practice of social justice in different settings, and we plan to compile a report that would be of use to others who are committed to a practice of critical reflection and solidarity.

Click here to see pictures of the Hubs.

Gweru Residents Forum is a social movement based in Gweru championing productive engagement between the service providers and communities in order to improve the quality of life of the heterogeneous citizenry. There are Community Coordinators located in the communities who monitor and advice community structures at the ward level. The organisation is involved in Policy research and analysis, community capacity building, knowledge management, creating of platforms for engagement between service providers and citizens. The organisation undertakes social accountability programs aimed at improving accountability in the manner in which services are provided.

Click here to read more about Gweru Residents Forum.