Our focus (2019-2022) will be on supporting the principles of openness, participation, inclusion and accountability. We will amplify the pro-democracy voices in southern Africa through supporting processes, organisations and movements that are intent on protecting people from the abuses and excesses of the state and corporate sector. We will work with groups and organisations that are challenging and campaigning against the erosion of public space, the culture of fear, undemocratic cyber policing and surveillance consolidated in the name of national security. We will strengthen and support movements and organisations bringing ordinary people together in solidarity, where they work to deal with common grievances, and find the strength to confront institutional power
Objectives
The three cluster pillars (Inclusive Participation; Transparency and Accountability; Media, Access to Information
and Digital Rights) will be guided by the following objectives:
Areas of Work
DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Civic engagement and inclusive public participation
Transparency and accountability in public and private sectors.
Media Freedom, Access to Information, & Digital Rights
Civic engagement and inclusive public participation
Enable and support alternative forms of participation, and engagement that helps people organise, mobilise, and resist excessive power as well as demand transparency, accountability and responsiveness. Support governments to deliver more participatory democratic processes and improve the quality and capacity of policies and officials to deliver on the needs of the people. Supporting a diverse and rich mix of voices will be the defining element of this work which will enhance public debates and open spaces advocating for democratic accountability and strengthen voices for collective engagement.
Transparency and accountability in public and private sectors.
Corruption remains an important factor affecting the ability of the people of the region to enjoy respectable living conditions. OSISA has had encouraging results in promoting accountability and fighting corruption. Launching the OSISA study on corruption in Southern Africa contributed to generating a fierce debate on corruption in Malawi and Zambia. We wish to consolidate this work by promoting accountability and strengthening support to civic initiatives to enhance social accountability mechanisms that are pushing for public resources to be managed in ways that promote accountability and transparency.
Media Freedom, Access to Information, & Digital Rights
Support independent and investigative journalism to check the excess of power and provide the ammunition for advocacy whether it is tracing beneficial ownership of companies, following up on tenders, checking up on procurement, or searching for answers, all of this should be about making connections with citizens so that they can use the information to demand answers and push for accountability. We will also support campaigns and advocacy aimed at removing constraints on getting online including promoting policies to increase the accessibility, availability & affordability of the Internet. Support innovative and creative hubs that are able to create applications/tools that facilitate the telling of stories and sharing of information.
Grantees
SIVIO Institute
DR TENDAI MURISA (DIRECTOR)
Email: tendaim@sivioinstitute.org
Website: www.sivioinstitute.org
Lesotho Centre for
Investigative Journalism
SECHABA MOKHETHI (MANAGING
DIRECTOR)
Email: sechabam@lescij.org
Website: www.lescij.org
Email: info@lescij.org
Facebook: MNN Centre for
Investigative Journalism
Twitter: @CijLesotho
Sol Plaatje Institute for
Media Leadership
FRANCIS MDLONGWA (DIRECTOR)
Email: spi@ru.ac.za
Website: www.ru.ac.za/spi
Programme Members
CONNECT WITH US
Percy Makombe
Team Leader: Democracy & Governance
Lusako Munyenyembe
Programme Manager: Public & Private Sector Accountability Manager;
Ichumile Gqada
Programme Manager: Inclusive Participation
Phathiswa Mbolo
Programme Associate
T. Benedict Komeke
Programme Support Officer: Democracy & Governance
Nhlanhla Ngwenya
Programme Manager: Media, Access to Information and Digital Rights
Lerato Mohlamenyane
Programme Associate