This week in civil society — BDS protest against Israel, 30 years of Democracy gathering and unpacking HIV-prevention jab

On Monday, 30 September, from 1pm to 2.30pm, the South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition hosts a webinar on unpacking the Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir injection for HIV prevention and its implication for the communities.

The coalition is a network of NGOs seeking to catalyse action on health research and development through coordinated advocacy to increase access to lifesaving products, technologies, and innovations.

The theme of the discussion is HIV prevention, biomedical options, choices, and access — getting the products to the hands of the people, and will be moderated by Neetha Morar, Senior Research Manager of the HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council.

Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, the director of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, will offer a presentation on PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2, Phase 3 double-blind multicentre trials conducted in several countries.

PURPOSE 1 was conducted in South Africa and Uganda, and demonstrated 100% efficacy of Lenacapavir (LEN) injections when used among adolescent girls and young women in Africa, raising hopes of curbing the HIV epidemic.

PURPOSE 2 enrolled 3,200 participants across 88 sites in seven countries, including cisgender men, transgender men, transgender women, and gender non-binary individuals. Using the same investigational drug as PURPOSE 1 (Lenacapavir), it found the drug to be 96% effective in preventing HIV. These results offer more HIV prevention options for vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries

“These findings not only demonstrate remarkably strong data, they also highlight the inclusive, person-centred HIV research and development efforts that underpin the PURPOSE 2 trial. As advocates, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of these results and their impact on the HIV prevention research landscape,” the South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition said.

Yvette Raphael, the  executive director of Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa, will also join the discussion

Register for the webinar here.



Also on Monday, 30 September, at 2pm, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa hosts a youth webinar on green hydrogen’s role in South Africa’s net zero transition.

“As a crucial solution for hard-to-decarbonise sectors,  green hydrogen and its derivatives offer significant benefits but also raise potential social, economic, and environmental challenges,” the organisation said.

The discussion will explore critical aspects and discuss crucial considerations for implementing a green hydrogen economy that supports a just transition by engaging with youth participants about their perspectives on the topics and their advocacy efforts within their communities.

Register to be a part of the conversation here.



Also on Monday, at 4 pm, the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation will host the Khulani Siphile Siphuhle Training Programme Bi-Weekly seminar titled “They Bring Disease, Then Bring Medicine”: Confronting Colonialism and Racism in Global Health.

“Global health institutions often explicitly endorse principles such as health equity, right to health and antiracism. However, closer scrutiny reveals an implicit function of global health institutions to serve the powerful interests of the Global North elite.”

In discussion with Professor Sanghyuk Shin, an infectious disease epidemiologist and global health scholar at the University of California, the seminar will unpack the dynamics of global health through case studies involving HIV, TB and the ongoing public health crisis in Gaza.

“The seminar will consider methods of building power among civil society members to promote health equity and justice,” the foundation said.

Venue: Desmond Tutu Health Foundation Offices in East London: 57 Western Avenue, Vincent, East London.

Or

Join the discussion on MS Teams-

Meeting ID: 366 471 976 362

Passcode: fcyZu8



On Tuesday, 1 October, until Thursday, 3 October, My Vote Counts will be hosting its 30 Years of Democracy Gathering to critically reflect on the past three decades and reclaim a democracy from below.

“This year marks 30 years since the formalisation of South Africa’s democracy. A moment that was brought forth by popular and democratic forms of organisation in communities and workplaces. It was catalysed by the formation of student movements, the trade union movement, civic and faith-based organisations and communities that directly confronted the apartheid state… 30 years later, millions are excluded from employment, housing, safe communities, access to water and electricity, quality education and health care, and enough food to live a decent life,” My Vote Counts said.

The Gathering will host members of social movements, trade unions, activists and academics at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The 2.5-day programme will include plenary sessions, workshops and roundtables where participants will reflect on the past three decades and a reclaiming of democracy from below. 

Register to join the online The Gathering online here.



Also, on Wednesday, 2 October, at 1pm, the Helen Suzman Foundation will host a webinar on international anti-corruption mechanisms. This is the second instalment in the foundation’s South Africa in the World series.

The speakers include Justice Richard Goldstone in his capacity as the vice-chairperson of Integrity Initiatives International; Professor Firoz Cachalia, the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council and Michael Marchant, the head of investigations at Open Secrets. Professor Prosper Maguchu from the VU Amsterdam University will facilitate the discussion. 

Tune into the webinar here.



On Thursday, 3 October, at 10am, Corruption Watch will launch the Best Practice Guide on Community Consultation in the South African Extractives Industry, as part of our Rallying Efforts to Accelerate Progress in Africa Project.

The guide, which was developed in partnership with Webber Wentzel, provides a framework for consultations that mining companies can adopt to mitigate the challenges faced with the current consultation models, incorporating basic norms drawn from local and international best practices. It also defines the complex structures that exist in communities in rural South Africa as well as the competing land rights held at different intersections by various groups, individuals, and families under an umbrella of traditional communities.

In-person venue: Workshop17, 138 West Street, Sandown, Sandton.

RSVP for in-person attendance to: [email protected]

Register here for virtual attendance.

On Saturday, 5 October at 10 am, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, in partnership with a collective of civil society organisations, will hold a protest march to Parliament calling for boycott, disinvestment and sanctions against Israel.

“The seventh of October 2024 will be one year since Hamas led an armed breakout from the Gaza concentration camp and attacked Israel. Since then, the Israeli regime has escalated its brutal genocide upon the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank as its final solution to destroy the Palestinians and their fight for freedom.”

The protest will start at the corner of Hanover and Chapel streets, District Six, before making its way to Parliament. DM