We are delighted to share the highlights of our activities from the second quarter of 2023. This period has been highly productive as we continue our efforts to build a stronger democracy, foster transparency, and empower African youth through data and technology. Here's a recap of our recent endeavours.
June 16th marks a significant day in the history of South Africa as the nation comes together to commemorate Youth Day. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and resilience of the country's youth in the face of adversity. It is a day that not only honors the past but also ignites hope for a brighter future. Let us reflect on the significance of Youth Day in South Africa and the enduring impact it has on the nation.
My name is Jo-Andri Shereldine Antonie, and I come from the small town of Calitzdorp in the Western Cape. As the youngest ambassador for the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, I am deeply involved with the youth in my community, teaching them the Ikhaba râ, also known as the Rieldans. This indigenous dance holds great significance for me as it connects us to our Khoi and San ancestors. Despite the challenges we face as a community, the Rieldans is a unique aspect of our heritage that I am determined to preserve.
Professor Cheryl Hendricks and Senior Project Leader, Amanda Lucey, recently travelled to Nigeria as part of the "Shifting Narratives on Violent Extremism in Africa" project, which aims to enhance evidence-based research on violent extremism in Africa.
In recent years, South Africa has experienced several catastrophic climate-related events, such as floods, droughts, and fires. Climate change is having an impact on South African ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods, despite the country’s status as the most developed economy in the Southern African Development Community. In response, the national government has approved critical actions that prioritise climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, emissions reductions, and waste management.
Human Rights Day is a public holiday that holds great historical significance and serves as a reminder of South Africa’s painful history. It’s a day that serves as a national moment of reflection and remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960. On 21 March in 1960, black people participated in a peaceful protest against the Apartheid pass laws. The protest turned into one of the most catastrophic human massacres when the police force killed 69 people and injured over 180 people. This day marked a key turning point in South African history as it led to a strengthened armed struggle against the brutality and ruthlessness of the Apartheid regime.
During the first week of February 2023, I had the privilege of conducting a short research trip to Botswana with Prof Cheryl Hendricks. We spent a few days in Gaborone and then made our way Kasane, situated on the borders of Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. This area, where the Chobe river flows into the Zambezi, is the world’s only quadripoint. We returned to South Africa, just prior to the much-awaited State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the 9th of February. In this short piece we share some of our insights on the decline of democracy in these two countries, once heralded as its torchbearers in Southern Africa.
I was recently invited by Danielle Hoffmeester, the project leader for the Youth Identity Project, to attend the premier of the documentary of Bergsig in Bergsig, Calitzdorp. The film was produced by IJR and Abrasive Media, documenting the lives and experiences of the young people in the town, through the lens of an IJR workshop held in August 2022.
Climate change is a global crisis that is affecting the entire world, and it is especially impacting developing countries like South Africa. The country has been experiencing the effects of climate change in the form of droughts, floods, and extreme weather conditions. These effects have significant implications for the country’s socio-economic development and its energy system. Therefore, this report aims to investigate climate change and the just energy transition in South Africa.
This year, the Data for Governance Alliance (D4GA) has been actively participating in various events aimed at promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability across Africa. One of the significant events D4GA attended was the Africa High Level Forum of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTrC) for Sustainable Development, hosted by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The forum, which took place in Kampala, Uganda, focused on building national capacities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation Ecosystem in Africa and forging horizontal partnerships for sustainable and resilient societies. Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, officially opened the event.