PERIOD : AUGUST 2023

Introduction

The Durban South Community Advice Centre (DSCAC) made an application to the Act Ubumbano Solidarity Fund, to support the role out of the Active Citizenship Programme in KZN, Durban, Ward 68. A grant amount of R19 000 was allocated to the implementation of the programme.

The DSCAC Active Citizenship Programme

The aim of the programme is to strengthen and deepen the understanding of democratic practice in communities. This is so that people are more able and willing to participate in their own development and hold those in power, accountable to their roles and duties. Capacity is developed through conversations and workshops ; as well as providing support to local initiatives, events and campaigns that tackle socio-economic challenges being experienced by communities.

The programme is presently working with three groups of people:

  • The Merebank Secondary School who have chosen 8 scholars and an educator to participate on the programme
  • The Austerville Baptist Church Youth (ABC) who delegated 9 of its members to participate on the programme
  • The Battalion Youth, a Ward 68 community youth group that seconded 7 of its members to participate on the programme

The Active Citizenship Programme has 3 reporting areas

  • The Active Citizenship workshop
  • DSCAC project support
  • The budget

The Active Citizenship workshop

3.1 The aim of the workshop was to strengthen participants understanding of democracy, local government and active citizenship; also to support any community projects/events/campaigns that they come up with, that addresses some of the socio-economic challenges experienced in their communities. A total of 25 people participated in the workshop:

  • Merebank Secondary School: 9
  • ABC Youth: 9
  • Battalion Youth: 7

The workshop was held at the Merebank Secondary School Hall on Saturday, 08 July 2023. The workshop programme consisted of the following:

TIMEACTIVITYDESCRIPTION
9h00 – 9h30Registration/Tea/CoffeeParticipants completed registration forms; Name tags were distributes; Welcome teas/coffees were served
9h30 – 10h00Introducing DSCAC and workshop purposeThe DSCAC coordinator provided an overview of the DSCAC and shared around the workshop purpose and programme processes
10h00 – 10h30Introducing participantsParticipants introduced themselves to each other and there was also a few ice-breaker activities to create a more relaxed atmosphere
10h30 – 11h00Deepening our understanding of Democracy, Local Govt. and Active CitizenshipParticipants listened to input from DDP (Brian Mhlongo) Democracy, Local Govt. and Active Citizenship
11h00 – 11h45Reflecting on what we have heard Participants were divided into 3 groups to reflect on what they have heard using a set of questions to guide discussions; The first group focussing Democracy; the second group on Local government and the third group on Active Citizenship
11h45 – 12h30Sharing our conversationsEach group had an opportunity to share their thoughts/reflections with the rest of the participants that stimulated discussion and deeper reflections on the concepts of democracy, local government and active citizenship
12h30 – 13h00LUNCHLunch was served
13h00 – 13h45Input on project planningParticipants listened to input on project planning that stimulated ideas for their own community projects/campaigns
13h45 – 14h45Group work on project planningParticipants gathered together in their respective groups to discuss a project idea and to develop a project plan around their project ideas
14h45 – 15h00Way forward and appreciationThe workshop was concluded with a discussion around the onsite support and resources that DSCAC would provide to each project group as they plan for the implementation of their community events/campaigns. Certificates of attendance were also issued to participants of a form of appreciation of time and effort.