Vacancies


Call for Applications: Understanding the law for social change – a course for activists

This short course is designed to equip activists with basic information and skills regarding the law in order to aid them in their struggles for social change, equality and freedom.

In a Constitutional Democracy such as South Africa, activists confront the law on a near daily basis. From court judgements targeting the homeless in the Cape Town; to the GBV cases unacknowledged or backlogged; to knowing your rights regarding protests, social grants and services – the law is a key player in the activist space.

Yet knowledge of the law is often intimidating, inaccessible and seen to be “reserved” for professionals and the highly educated. Despite this we know there are comrades in movements who have become fluent in aspects of the law and court proceedings through years of first-hand experience. 

What will the programme cover?

In this three-day programme, Tshisimani together with the Black Sash and other partners, aims to introduce comrades to how the law may assist activists in their work. This practical exploration will cover topics such as laws governing protest, policing, evictions, grants and social security, gender-based violence and first-hand skills training on how to take statements, write affidavits and how the court system works.

For a full breakdown of the programme, have a look at the full concept note and course overview here

If you are an active part of a movement or grassroots social justice organisation based in or around Cape Town, please apply by filling out the form below.

All costs are covered but participation will be based on a selection process that ensures a diversity of activists who will take this work forward.

How to apply

Please fill out the Google Form below to apply. Applications close on Wednesday 15 March 2023, and successful applicants will be contacted by 18 March.

Date 23-26 March

Location: Froggy Pond Resort, Simonstown

Queries: info@tshisimani.org.za; 021 6853516

Events


04/03/2023

Effective Political Campaigning: an activist workshop

Political campaigns are the bread and butter of activism. Through them we plan, mobilise, organise and hopefully win gains towards social change. Following the success of the first workshop of our #BeyondProtest series, we dive into political campaigning and tactics. During the liberation struggle activists held regular underground political workshops on the models, tactics and strategies of effective, long-term campaigns. They were fluent in the language, roles and structure of campaigning. 

In this one day workshop Tshisimani will go back to basics in a contemporary way: what are political campaigns? What is the role of strategy and tactics? How do we make decisions about the effective pathways to success? What tactics are available to us and when do we employ them? What can we learn from the legacy of our own historic campaigns such as the UDF and those across the globe? 

Join us on Saturday 4 March, 10:00 to 15:00, as we further equip ourselves to take on the increasingly dire crisis facing the working-class and marginalised.

Location: Ashley Kriel Hall, Community House, 41 Salt River Road, Salt River, Cape Town

Numbers are limited. Please RSVP to info@tshisimani.org.za or phone 021 685 3516 by Wednesday 1 March.

Events


04/02/2023

Activism beyond the picket line: an activist’s workshop

Public demonstration, the historic tradition of speaking truth to power, remains the main tool in the hands of the oppressed and excluded. While public protest and marches still demonstrate mass power and unity of the marginalized, there is growing despondency about the effectiveness of this strategy. In the midst of deepening poverty, widening inequality and general failure of the state, can we afford to not interrogate our current methods of protesting? What lessons can be drawn from our activist history compared with the current dynamics of the culture of protesting? Are there new innovative ways we should be adopting in making our stand and achieving our goals? How do we sustain the momentum and mass vigilance once we have marched and the memorandum of demands has been handed over?

Tshisimani will be hosting a workshop for activists to critically engage on these questions by reflecting on personal experiences as well as lessons from movements in South Africa and beyond.

Date: Saturday 4 February 2023
Time: 10:00 – 13:30
Location: Black Sash offices, 2 Caledonian Street, Mowbray, Cape Town (next door to Fat Cactus restaurant off Durban Road – within walking distance from Mowbray bus, taxi rank and train station)

This workshop will be an in-person offering with no online option.
Numbers are limited. Please RSVP to info@tshisimani.org.za or phone 021 685 3516 by Thursday 2 February

Uncategorized


Marikana: 10 Years On – Public Seminar

The public seminar reflected on Marikana 10 years on with Nomzamo Zondo reflecting on the progress of the widow’s cases for reparations. Advocate Tembeka Ngucaitobi reflected on the history mining and the questioned the importance of an inquiry whilst Meshack Mbungula brought the issues of mineworkers at present to the front.

Public Seminar including Advocate Tembeka Ngucaitobi, Nomzamo Zondo and Meshack Mbungula