From Mandela to Today: 10 Organisations Leaving a Legacy in South Africa
In the heart of a nation's history, there are individuals whose influence transcends their lifetime, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of society. One such luminary figure, Nelson Mandela, stands as a beacon of hope, courage, and resilience, inspiring generations to come. As we commemorate the 10-year anniversary of his passing, we find ourselves at an intersection of remembrance and renewal, celebrating not only his life but also the unbreakable spirit of the South African people.
Mandela's legacy isn't confined to the pages of history; it lives on in the actions of those who dare to champion justice, equality, and democracy. The ideals he stood for resonate deeply with a select group of organisations that have tirelessly dedicated themselves to building a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive nation. These organisations, fueled by the ideals Mandela so ardently upheld, embody the essence of nation-building, citizenship, social justice, and democracy.
As we delve into the stories of these 10 remarkable organisations, let us be inspired by their tenacity, their resilience, and their unyielding belief in the power of collective action. Let us recognise that our country's progress is intricately tied to the choices we make today, and that the legacy of Nelson Mandela lives on through the work we choose to undertake. By embracing the ideals that fueled his life's mission, we can create a ripple effect that transforms not just our nation, but the world at large.
Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education
The Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education, based in Cape Town, is a dedicated activist education organisation. With a focus on working class social justice movements, communities, and organisations, Tshisimani provides vital political education. Its name, inspired by the tshiVenda term for "fountain" or "spring," reflects its mission to nourish and sustain. Established in 2016, Tshisimani empowers social justice activists by developing education programmes in collaboration with partner organisations.
These programmes equip activists with conceptual tools to challenge inequality and envision alternatives. Offerings include seminars, workshops, film screenings, and residence-based programmes. Monthly engagements and online resources further support activists. Prioritising youth and women from disadvantaged backgrounds, Tshisimani envisions extending its impact across Southern Africa in the next five years. Operating with a collaborative, non-sectarian approach, the centre emphasises diverse perspectives and co-creation of knowledge. By fostering critical thinking, leadership skills, and solidarity, Tshisimani shapes activists who can bring positive change to their world through innovative strategies and meaningful engagement.
SECTION27
SECTION27 serves as a dynamic force for social justice and a public interest legal hub, employing the law to safeguard, elevate, and push forward human rights. Their vision entails an equitable and harmonious society where every individual can fully embrace their human rights and is empowered to assert them. Guided by constitutional principles, SECTION27 strives to propel socio-economic rights, particularly the access to health care and basic education enshrined in sections 27 and 29 of the South African Constitution respectively.
Activism remains an essential tenet, driving them to confront social justice head-on. Employing a blend of legal measures and activism, they join forces with partners to instigate system-wide transformations. Their resolute campaigns, strategic litigation, community mobilisation, and credible research fortify their pursuit of health care and education access rights, while amplifying public understanding of constitutional principles. Collaborating with societal movements and partners, they hold both public and private sectors accountable for their constitutional commitments, pursuing lasting structural changes that champion dignity and parity for all.
ACTIVATE! Change Drivers
ACTIVATE! Change Drivers is a multisectoral youth development programme uniting diverse young leaders across South Africa. With a decade-long track record, ACTIVATE! has empowered over 4325 youth nationwide. By equipping them with leadership skills, ACTIVATE! creates a platform for these change drivers to connect, exchange ideas, and champion transformative initiatives in their communities. Founded in 2012, ACTIVATE! recognised the potential of proactive young minds striving to uplift their lives and society during their educational years. Bridging the gap between employed, self-employed, and unemployed youth, ACTIVATE! established a network where these visionaries could convene.
Through the ACTIVATE! Change Driver (ACD) programme, participants gain tools to address local needs. Over time, more than 4325 individuals have completed the ACD programme, catalysing community-driven centres and advocating for policy change on international stages. These ACTIVATE! Change Drivers have emerged as influential leaders in various fields, contributing to South Africa's progress. By fostering a culture of innovation, the programme empowers youth to lead positive social, economic, and political change. Rooted in the belief that a supportive platform cultivates capable citizens, ACTIVATE! continues to shape a generation of engaged individuals dedicated to the nation's growth, democratic values, and social justice.
RISE Mzansi
RISE Mzansi, a contemporary political movement, unites patriotic South Africans in their quest for positive change. By fostering citizen engagement, empowerment, and unity, RISE Mzansi aims to create a nation where individuals enjoy freedom, happiness, and prosperity. Their vision encompasses an equitable, secure, and cohesive society, where all can lead dignified lives. Guided by values of equality, integrity, solidarity, justice, and freedom, RISE Mzansi's mission is to harness people's collective strength to shape a brighter South Africa.
They view 2024 as a transformative juncture akin to 1994, believing ordinary citizens can achieve the extraordinary. Having interacted extensively with diverse segments of society, RISE Mzansi's April 19, 2023 announcement marks a pivotal moment in their 30-year journey to reshape the nation's trajectory. With a clear vision, distinct identity, policy priorities, and actionable plan, they invite all South Africans to rally behind this progressive alternative. RISE Mzansi underscores the urgency of acting now to avert catastrophe and realise the Constitution's promise. Through collective effort, they aspire to elevate the nation, eradicating poverty, chaos, and suffering.
Apolitical Foundation
In the realm of governance, effective political leadership stands as a cornerstone for present and future success. Civil servants worldwide, responsible for shaping and executing novel policies, hinge on principled and capable elected representatives. Yet, a global leadership deficit looms, compounded by waning interest among youth and a surge of partisan figures dismissive of differing perspectives. Addressing this issue, the Apolitical Foundation emerges as a non-profit organisation, an offshoot of Apolitical. The Foundation's objective is nurturing ethical and courageous 21st-century leaders, vital for thriving democracies' well-being. It connects and empowers individuals dedicated to equipping politicians with essential skills for effective representation.
Unique in its global approach, the Foundation establishes non-partisan political training academies worldwide, embracing a multipartisan ethos that opposes extremism, while steering clear of campaigning or electing candidates. The Foundation envisions a governmental landscape led by a new breed of ethical and transformative leaders, adept at navigating today’s intricate challenges. Its flagship initiative, the Apolitical Academy, in partnership with the Daniel Sacks Foundation, is a year-long fellowship programme uniting emerging leaders with mentors and peers. This collective journey hones policy reform, implementation skills, and governance acumen, preparing these leaders to drive effective change.
The People's Assembly
The People’s Assembly website aims to bridge the gap between citizens and their elected representatives, fostering accountability and public participation. It provides essential information about elected officials and the institutions they serve, promoting a stronger public voice. Citizens can even offer feedback, enhancing the connection between people and politics. Presently, there's a noticeable disconnection between citizens and representatives, partly due to South Africa's proportional representation electoral system. This system offers fairer representation to smaller parties but can distance representatives from the people they serve.
To address this, political parties assign representatives to constituencies after elections. The People’s Assembly website counters this by offering better oversight of elected officials. Through tools like RepLocator, citizens can identify their representatives, locate nearby constituency offices, and provide feedback. The site not only shares information about representatives but also showcases their parliamentary contributions. While challenges exist, including coding and information gaps, the website embraces the open data movement's momentum to expand information about representatives at all governmental levels, fostering an informed and engaged citizenry in the pursuit of social justice and democracy.
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, established in 2008, honours the enduring legacy of anti-apartheid champion Ahmed Kathrada and his contemporaries. Rooted in the values of non-racialism, the Foundation operates independently and impartially. Kathrada, a former inmate of Robben Island, spent 26 years incarcerated alongside fellow Rivonia Trialists, united against apartheid. His lifelong dedication to South African liberation ideals, particularly non-racialism, defines his narrative.
The Foundation's core objective is to foster non-racialism in post-apartheid South Africa. Achieving this goal involves diverse initiatives: endorsing principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution, arranging seminars and debates that promote a non-sexist, democratic nation, and documenting Kathrada's pivotal role in the struggle. It also strives to establish a research centre, preserving historical records for scholarly exploration, while supporting equitable projects for a non-racial society. Central to its mission is a dedicated centre that encompasses all Foundation activities, safeguarding its enduring commitment to citizenship, democracy, and social justice.
Khulisa Social Solutions
Khulisa Social Solutions (KSS) is a renowned Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) established in 1997. Dedicated to empowering marginalised children, youth, and communities, KSS aims to unlock their full potential, fostering resilient pathways and skills for a sustainable future. With a national presence across 18 offices and collaborations with 350 NGO partners, KSS impacts nearly 100,000 individuals annually. Initially focused on pioneering South Africa's official youth rehabilitation programme, KSS has since evolved to promote holistic community development through peace-building and restorative practices, addressing a wide array of social and economic challenges. Their innovative "Communities of Opportunity" (CoO) programme, active in six provinces, envisions inclusive spaces where people of all backgrounds can thrive in safety, health, and empowerment.
Khulisa's distinctive approach transcends conventional methods by integrating community challenges and assets, fostering cooperation among stakeholders, and targeting high-impact projects for lasting social change. Their vision embraces a safer, more prosperous South Africa where everyone, particularly the youth, accesses opportunities for equitable local and national advancement. Rooted in addressing social vulnerabilities, KSS collaborates with strategic partners to drive impactful initiatives at the community level, exemplifying quantifiable social impact that contributes to citizenship, nation-building, democracy, and social justice.
Hanns Seidel Foundation
The Hanns Seidel Foundation, established in 1967 as a registered association, is devoted to serving public interests. With an unwavering commitment to democracy, peace, and development, the Foundation emphasises the essential role of civic education. This education empowers each new generation with an understanding of political issues and their interconnectedness, fostering active engagement and responsibility.
In 1991, the Foundation expanded to South Africa, aiding the nation's transition to an inclusive, non-racial democracy. Presently, it operates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, collaborating with partner organisations to uphold the core values of the South African Constitution. Through educational initiatives, research projects, and partnerships, the Foundation facilitates a national dialogue on crucial social, political, and developmental matters, contributing to sustainable progress. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Bavarian State Chancellery, the Foundation focuses on civic education. Notably, the Civics Academy project delivers online content that reinforces democratic values and active citizenship. Since 2015, Civics Academy's educational materials have gained widespread use, benefiting ministries, educational institutions, and private users.
Rivonia Circle
The Rivonia Circle, a pioneering non-profit, was born from a commitment to ethics and the urgency of nurturing a fresh generation of leaders for the modern era. Through collaborative research and community engagement, it devises inventive solutions to address pressing social issues, namely unemployment, poverty, inequality, institutional fragility, corruption, and inadequate leadership. Embracing the Constitution's core principles of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Solidarity, the Circle aspires to reshape South Africa into a resilient democracy that enhances citizens' lives. By realising progressive socioeconomic rights and a collective national vision, it seeks to counterbalance the challenges and channel the spirit of the Rivonia Trialists who persevered in the pursuit of freedom. Drawing on the symbolism of the circle as a representation of dialogue in Africa, the Circle encourages unity to shape the foundation of a just, inclusive society envisioned by the constitution.
In the pursuit of its mission, the Rivonia Circle draws inspiration from historical instances of social democracy in Africa. Similar to the Greek notion of democracy, which sought comprehensive governance in 6th century Europe, the Mali Kingdom's Manden Charter of 1236 envisioned a society that combated inequality, championed universal human rights, and decentralised power. This ethos of inclusive governance resonates deeply with the Circle's ideals, echoing the call for an equitable society. Just as these historical precedents demonstrated, the Rivonia Circle envisions a brighter future for South Africa, where the collective efforts of its citizens propel the nation towards justice, unity, and prosperity.
As we look to the horizon of progress, let us remember that the work we undertake today holds the potential to shape tomorrow's world. By embracing the values that Mandela championed - justice, equality, and democracy - we become torchbearers of his vision. The journey towards a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive society is not a solitary one; it is a collective endeavour, driven by the indomitable spirit that Mandela embodied.
So, to each organisation that boldly carries the torch of change, and to every individual who finds inspiration in Mandela's example, remember: The Legacy Lives on Through You. In every act of compassion, in every stride towards unity, and in every stand for what is right, you breathe life into his timeless legacy. Just as Mandela's influence transcended his lifetime, so too does the impact of your efforts extend far beyond the present moment.
Is anyone missing from our list? Pop us an email at hello@treeshake.com to let us know, so that we can continue celebrating the organisations leaving a legacy in South Africa.
