Under the banner of the ACT Alliance South Africa, Church of Sweden, Bread for the World and Christian Aid (E3) have joined forces with Southern African partners in seeking new forms of solidarity action around Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Gender, Environmental and Economic Justice.

A key element of this process is building a “Solidarity Hub” (initially called “Solidarity Platform”). The Hub is the focal point for interaction, learning and dialogue amongst local and international partners and allies seeking to engage in deepening solidarity, knowledge and practice in the field. This reflection informs new and existing programmatic action that is rooted in the communities partnering organisations work with, and that builds solidarity across the global south and north. The objective of this change process is to explore new models of solidarity and collaboration between European development organisations and CSOs in South Africa and Southern Africa.

As part of the process, this scoping study was conducted to explore more what these participating organisations are currently doing to address inequality and poverty in the region. The key objectives of the Scoping Study are:

1. To map and profile the 30 ACT Alliance partner organisations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique;
2. To deepen the understanding of the community organisations and the methodologies that partner organisations are utilising to engage with the communities, including thematic areas;
3. To analyse and assess different methodologies utilised, including the analysis of what works and what does not work;
4. To explore ways in which ACT Alliance could engage with participating organisations and how to best support them in order to contribute towards new solidarity action that is rooted in the communities they seek to serve.

We wish to express our deep concern at the increase in attacks on human rights defenders in your country, and to urge you to demonstrate your commitment to ending them by conducting a thorough and independent investigation to find the perpetrators of these crimes.

Ubumbano Solidarity is an initiative of the ACT Alliance in Southern Africa, and is a collaboration of 30 faith-based and non-governmental organisations in the region working for social justice. We believe that a fair, just and equal society is possible, but it demands that our governments – your government – commit to a plurality of views in the political arena, and works to safeguard the rights of those who champion the cause of marginalised and poor communities.

We stand in solidarity with those who bear the burden of injustice and violence in society. We urge that your government, and governments throughout the world, protect their citizens and carry out the mandate given them by their people to improve the lives of all.