Human Rights School, 2023

The Peer Educators of 2023 pose for a picture!

Africa Unite’s mission is to train and equip active young people, so they can, in turn inspire other young people to make positive changes and impacts in society and their communities. One such training is Africa Unite’s annual Human Rights School for Peer Educators, young activists, to support them as they become leaders in their communities. Through the program, peer educators are equipped with knowledge on relevant human rights issues such as migration, access to education, local violence, and several other issues and are taught many skills for bringing change so that they can go back to their respective communities and conduct human rights awareness information sessions for the next year and beyond.

Africa Unite held the annual peer education Human Rights School from March 21-25, 2023, at Goedgedacht in Malmesbury. After going through a rigorous selection process, 15 young people from Southern Africa, from countries including Zimbabwe, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa were selected. South African youth from multiple provinces where Africa Unite runs its programs including Kwa Zulu Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape were present at the training.

Researcher at the University of Cape Town’s Migration for Development and Equality (MIDEQ) group, Mr. Yardanos Ersterfanos teaches about Pan-Africanism

Africa Unite Board Member, Dr. Kenneth Mutuma demonstrates handling conflict in communities

The training was facilitated by five different speakers over five days including two of our Board Members, Chairperson Mr. Vincent Williams, and Dr. Kenneth ‘Ken’ Mutuma. Dr. Ken facilitated a workshop on Conflict Mediation and shared knowledge and skills with peer educators on dealing with conflicts in their communities. Africa Unite’s Director, Mr. Zoe Nkongolo also facilitated a session on Building Human Rights Communities. A Climate Change specialist from the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), Mr. Andile Zulu, and a researcher at the University of Cape Town’s Migration for Development and Equality (MIDEQ) group, Mr. Yardanos Ersterfanos, lead sessions on Climate Change and Pan Africanism, their importance and how the peer educators can continue to use their current resources and positions in society to make a positive change in their communities. The training equipped the young people with information and actionable skills to tackle climate change, Pan-Africanism, Conflict Mediation, and Building Human Rights and leadership in South Africa.

Africa Unite Chairperson, Mr. Vincent Williams leads a session on Conflict Mediation

Highlighting the important role played by young people in their communities, the training gave the new peer educators a platform to learn and share their ideas and some of the challenges they are addressing in their communities. In addition, the facilitators spoke on the importance of young people as rising African leaders and society’s main agents of change and progress. Most of the peer educators noted that the training motivated and equipped them with the relevant skills and knowledge to go back to their communities as agents of change. Some made plans for activities, information sessions, and dialogues they are going to hold.

Climate Change specialist from the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), Mr. Andile Zulu, talks about Environmental issues

Mokgadi Matshwi, a social worker at Outreach Foundation in Johannesburg, who was among five peer educators who represented Gauteng said that being selected to be a human rights peer educator was exciting because she wanted to be part of initiatives that advance youth participation in bringing people together. She said that “As a social worker, my dream has been How do I help my community to overcome some of the challenges we come across? This training has equipped me with the necessary skills to do this.”

Another peer educator, whose name is being withheld for safety reasons, who comes from the Cape Flats, an area in Cape Town stricken by gang violence and many human rights abuses wished that this program could accommodate many more young people. She said “Many things can change once young people are aware of [their] human rights because in our area nothing seems to work,” adding that “many young people are forced to join gangs because they don’t have choice but also they don’t know about their rights. I will try my best to educate my peers because information is so important.”

The peer educators were grateful that they learned new skills to use in their activism and their communities. We look forward to seeing our new peer educators building Human Rights Communities in their respective communities!

– Lelethu Nogwavu

THE STATE OF XENOPHOBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA

Africa Day this year marks 60 years since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The anniversary begs the question: How much of the vision of the OAU’s founding fathers has been realised 60 years on? What would not be there but for the efforts of the organisation and its successor the African Union?

Against this backdrop, Africa Unite’s Human Rights Project Development Officer, Lelethu Nogwavu spoke to the Expresso Show on SABC 3 on the state of Xenophobia in the country and Africa Day on the 24^th of May 2023. The interview was centred around the theme “Addressing xenophobia in South Africa.” The Expresso Show is a South African bilingual breakfast show on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC3) with more than half a million viewers and followers across their social media platforms as well as national television.

We are grateful for this opportunity to present our work and engage on such important topics, however, as noted by Lelethu in her interview:

‘There is still much work to be done to address this issue in the country.”

Cape Town Science Centre Visit

The 10th of February 2023, Africa Unite Human Rights for Social Cohesion Program launched a Pilot Project at Nobantu Primary School in Gugulethu.  Recognizing the difficulties faced by South African learners in Mathematics and Science, Africa Unite intended to help and support 16 learners to develop their Math and Science skills in the intermediate phase (grade 4 to 6), every Friday. The tutorial support is provided in English by a tutor.  

Against this backdrop, on Thursday 18 May 2023, Africa Unite visited the Science Centre in Observatory. The visit was with the 16 learners who are part of our Mathematics and Science tutoring Pilot Project.  The purpose of the visit was to explain the learners about various topics related to math and science by having interaction within the workshops and at the playground. 

The learners were taken through different Maths and Science related workshops, activities and experiments to enhance their knowledge of the subjects through practical learning. As part of the workshops the learners were taken through the lightroom where the facilitator explained the science behind primary colors and its effects. The learners showed great interest and were interactive.  The second workshop related to mathematics, particularly the subject of measurements. The learners went through a quiz where they were asked some questions about the different kinds of measuring, time, weight, length etc.  

In the camera obscura room, the learners went through the different cameras from the past and the science behind the cameras. The learners also got to see the one out of four-camera obscuras in the country.  

They were having fun by doing all the different experiments and were really focused during the workshops. It was a very interesting and fun trip for the learners, and it improved their knowledge and understanding of different Mathematics and Science concepts! 

Voting Education

Africa Unite’s mission is to provide young people with the knowledge and necessary tools so that they can empower their communities and achieve positive changes in their environment. As a result, Africa Unite organized an event that highlighted the key role that young people play in today’s South Africa voting system.
On Saturday 6th of May, an event called ‘Voting Education’ which emphasized on the importance of voting and offering opportunities of empowerment to the youth, took place. The training was facilitated by four different speakers coming from Africa Unite, the South African National Council, the National Youth Development, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
The event was started by Wonke Mapeyi, who explained the alarming situation that South Africa is currently facing, where young people refuse to vote, and some are not even registered to do so. Wonke explained that the main reason behind this issue, is that young people do not see immediate changes in their lives after voting.
Followed by this, Linda Kabani, introduced the history of the voting system. Linda Kabani explained how black people were not allowed to vote until 1994 and how the fall of the apartheid influenced the democracy that is now in danger in South Africa.

Continuing his oration, the member of the National Youth Development Agency, Micarlo Malan, described in a very precise manner how voting allows people to achieve their objectives and improve the situation of themselves and their communities. In addition, the member of the NYDA, offered opportunities to young people who wish to obtain financing with the aim to enhance the quality of life of themselves and their circle.
To finalize, Ursula Ncobo, a representant of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, tackled the challenge by aiding those who attended the event as well as informing the audience of the documents they require to vote. Moreover, she empathized on the impact that voting causes as stadistics confirm that less and less people are voting. To facilitate the voting process, Ursula Ncobo taught the audience how now it is possible to vote from their phones, avoiding in this manner, having to physically to a IEC office.
The event proved to be a success. Young people were registered to vote, and awareness was raised on how voting influences their life’s. The audience also received valuable information about the possibility to be granted a grant by the National Youth Development Agency. The issue on low voting rates was successfully tackled.

Three-Day Training on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness and Peer Education

We are thrilled to share the incredible journey of our recent three-day training program on Gender -Based Violence (GBV) awareness and peer education. The training took place from the 19th – the 21st of May, at Goedgedacht in Malmesbury.

Pictured above are the women from Tusimame Wanake women’s movement.

Over the course of three inspiring days, we had the privilege of working with eleven phenomenal women, most who are from the immigrant women’s movement Tusimame Wanawake who are passionate about making a difference in their communities through interactive sessions, engaging discussion, and hands on activities, we delved deep into the critical issues surrounding (GBV) and explored effective ways to combat it. Our training aimed to equip these amazing women with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become GBV awareness peer educators within their communities.

A special thanks goes out to our participants and to the Migration for Development and Equality (MIDEQ) Hub from the University of Cape Town for supporting this project and making it a success.

EID-AL-FEAST

The 24th of April 2023, Africa Unite team hosted the Eid-Al-Fitr feast, in order to celebrate the end of Ramadan. This special day was also the opportunity for 3 interns to share about their culture and traditions, related to this feast.

As a part of Human Rights for Social Cohesion Program, “celebration of diversity” is advocated as a means to learn about the richness of  different cultures, by promoting tolerance, peace and living together..

Eid celebrates the end of fasting and therefore the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. It is above all a time to visit family, to exchange wishes and gifts, and to share food with friends and family. This feast is also an opportunity to reconcile and to ask for forgiveness. Hajara, Célia and Mariama gave a presentation on the eid feast, describing the specificities of this feast in their country of origins, including France, Guinea, Algeria and Nigeria. If some differences were underlined,  each country would have similar ways to celebrate Eid. The  importance of the  morning prayer, to dress well and cook traditional meals. Wherever it is celebrated, Eid is above all a day of sharing, tolerance and peace for the muslim community.

Following the interns introduction, Laetifa presented the origins of this feast in more details including the Muslim religion in general. She discussed the pillars of the Muslim religion and the appearance of the latter.  It was followed by a time of questions ; an opportunity for the staff members to discuss deeper about what they learned during this day.

In order to end this celebration, Africa Unite tem shared a moment of conviviality around traditional meals.

CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN REPORT

CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN REPORT

Africa Unite’s mission is to empower individuals and communities so that they can achieve positive changes in their communities. Because of its mission, Africa Unite decided to organize a ‘clean-up’ event that took place last Friday 12 of May.

The event took place in the informal settlement Europe, located in Gugulethu. On it, Africa Unite members together with the help of more than 70 volunteers, patrolled the streets in search of dirt to be cleaned-up. As the name suggests, the ‘clean-up’ event intended to empower the residents of Europe informal settlement by providing them with cleaned streets and streets free of dangerous animals such as rats, flies, or mosquitos among others.  The plan aims to engage the citizens of the area by showing them the benefits of a safe and clean pathway.

After the cleaning occurred, the ‘awareness’ part took place. On it, the attendees received information on how to clean the streets and what to do in to get rid of dirt. For this, multiple speakers from various organizations were invited to speak. For instance, Mr Mziyanda, who represented Solid Waste Department, empowered the residents by providing information on how to keep the streets clean through a speech and informational booklets.  

During this special day, we were honored by the presence of Mr Luntu, the personal assistant to the local councilor. He had the opportunity to raise the issues that are faced by the residents of Europe informal settlement. He particularly emphasised the importance of waste management. Indeed, many improvements in waste management need to be achieved; for the well-being of the inhabitants but more broadly, on a larger scale, that of the planet. He also raised awareness among community members about the problem of baby nappies being thrown away. This is the main cause for the presence of rats and mosquitoes in the township. According to him, dirt containers need also to be changed because they remain old.

He ended his speech by raising the need for community members to  cooperate with the waste management team by being responsible and involved in environmental issues.

Following the intervention of Mr Luntu, a mother spoke on behalf of the community. She complained about the rats that make holes in their sharks and eat the food in their boxes, but also about the mosquitoes that attack them and their children day after day. Therefore, she asked if solid waste management could resolve these problems. Unfortunately, no help was offered, as the solid waste officials referred the people to the health department.

Voting Education

Africa Unite’s mission is to provide young people with the knowledge and necessary tools so that they can empower their communities and achieve positive changes in their environment. As a result, Africa Unite organized an event that highlighted the key role that young people play in today’s South Africa voting system.

On Saturday 6^th of May, an event called ‘Voting Education’ which emphasized on the importance of voting and offering opportunities of empowerment to the youth, took place. The training was facilitated by four different speakers coming from Africa Unite, the South African National Council, the National Youth Development, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa.

The event was started by Wonke Mapeyi, who explained the alarming situation that South Africa is currently facing, where young people refuse to vote, and some are not even registered to do so. Wonke explained that the main reason behind this issue, is that young people do not see immediate changes in their lives after voting.

Linda Kabani

Followed by this, Linda Kabani, introduced the history of the voting system. Linda Kabani explained how black people were not allowed to vote until 1994 and how the fall of the apartheid influenced the democracy that is now in danger in South Africa.

Continuing his oration, the member of the National Youth Development Agency, Micarlo Malan, described in a very precise manner how voting allows people to achieve their objectives and improve the situation of themselves and their communities. In addition, the member of the NYDA, offered opportunities to young people who wish to obtain financing with the aim to enhance the quality of life of themselves and their circle.

Macarlo Malan

To finalize, Ursula Ncobo, a representant of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, tackled the challenge by aiding those who attended the event as well as informing the audience of the documents they require to vote. Moreover, she empathized on the impact that voting causes as stadistics confirm that less and less people are voting. To facilitate the voting process, Ursula Ncobo taught the audience how now it is possible to vote from their phones, avoiding in this manner, having to physically to a IEC office.

The event proved to be a success. Young people were registered to vote, and awareness was raised on how voting influences their life’s. The audience also received valuable information about the possibility to be granted a grant by the National Youth Development Agency. The issue on low voting rates was successfully tackled.

FREEDOM DAY 2023

Africa Unite’s Human Rights Project Development Officer, Lelethu Nogwavu spoke to the Expresso Show on a Studio interview on Freedom Day. She spoke alongside Chipo Magombo from Black Womxn Cuacus and Salizwa Nltbathi from Africa Climate Aliance on a panel discussion. The discussion was on the role of young people in building human rights communities as well as youth activisms on issue of women’s rights and climate change.

We are grateful for the work that was done by the people before us, however, as noted by Lelethu in her interview with Expresso SABC 3 on 27 April 2023:

‘It is important that we as young people work hard and continue to be hopeful, not just for us but for the generations to come!”

Watch the interview here – Freedom Day: A Youth’s Perspective – YouTube

THE RE-OPENING OF THE CAPE TOWN REFUGEE RECEPTION OFFICE

Africa Unite’s Human Rights Project Development Officer, Lelethu Nogwavu spoke to Newzroom Afrika on the official opening of the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office. The Cape Town office has been closed for over a decade. This means that as of 2 May 2023 for the first time in more than a decade, new asylum seeker applications may be made in Cape Town. Further, Asylum seekers no longer have to travel to Pretoria, Durban, Eastern Cape, or Musina.

After 11 years of struggle and court battles, the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office has finally reopened. This was pivotal as it marked a cumulative journey over 11 years. Organisations like Scalabrini and The Legal Resources Centre have been at the forefront of this battle. After three High Court Cases and two Supreme Courts appeal cases, the Office will be up and running again. The office is situated in the Epping area, Cape Town.

We are grateful for this huge milestone, however, as noted by Lelethu in her interview with NewsRoom channel 404 on 25 Tuesday 2023.

‘There is a backlog of cases, and moving forward, we must be cautious and work extremely hard to ensure that these cases are dealt with.”

Watch the interview here – https://youtu.be/D78qYK-XzGc