This week in civil society – Whistle-blowers honoured, SA’s beef sector and climate change unpacked, electoral reform and democracy dissected

On Tuesday, 22 October at 9am, Life After Coal, a joint campaign by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, groundWork, and the Centre for Environmental Rights, will march to the Union Building in Pretoria to demand protection for human rights defenders.

The annual solidarity gathering comes as human rights and environmental activists continue to be targeted for confronting undemocratic practices and violations of constitutional rights by corporate bodies and government.

“The threats, attacks and assassinations of whistle-blowers, community, land and climate justice activists, continue to escalate with impunity. The silencing of Human Rights Defenders is a threat to our democracy. It also infringes on the right to freedom of expression. The gathering intends to commemorate, honour and spread awareness about the lives of those who have been assassinated, and the threats that human rights defenders currently face in many communities – especially mining communities around the country,” the organisation said.

When: Tuesday 22 October, 2024 

Where: Pretoria – City of Tshwane  

Starting point: Old bus terminal, Struben Street 

End point: Union Buildings  

Time: 9am-2pm 



Also on Tuesday, the Institute of Economic Justice will host a webinar launching a guidance memo titled, The Beef with Climate Change: Growth, Equity, and a Just Transition in the Beef Sector in South Africa.

“The Guidance Memo critically examines the planned growth of beef production and export in South Africa. A central focus of the memo is whether the red meat industry’s growth strategy can achieve a just transition through broadscale black smallholder farmer inclusion, creation of decent work and equitable livelihoods, and ensuring ecological regeneration and resilience,” the organisation said.

Speakers Andrew Bennie from the Institute for Economic Justice, Nicky McLeod, co-founder of Environmental Rural Solutions (ERS) and Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership and Mpumelelo Ncwadi, regenerative grazing expert, volunteer cattle extension officer, PhD candidate Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, will unpack some of the key messages of the document, the challenges of smallholder and emerging farmer inclusion, and how to approach the question of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental challenges associated with beef production in the South African context, while pursuing decent livelihoods, better incomes, and equity. 

Register here.



On Tuesday, 22 October, at 6.30 pm, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation will host a Freedom Dialogue titled, Is Democracy Failing South Africans?

The discussion comes after the establishment of SA’s 11-party Government of National Unity, which was heralded as a step towards restoring the country’s political stability.

“It is around 100 days of GNU in office, however, key indicators – ranging from rising crime rates to persistent unemployment – paint a bleak picture for the majority of South Africans. Long-standing issues such as poverty, inequality and entrenched social divisions continue to deepen. These realities have led to a widespread belief that ‘things were better in the past’, with trust in the political system eroding significantly. This disillusionment is further reflected in voter apathy, as nearly 40% of the electorate abstained from voting.

“Despite some progress, many South Africans feel let down by the failure of democracy to deliver on its promises of a better quality of life. This raises a pressing question: Is democracy failing South Africans?” 

In a panel discussion facilitated by Daily Maverick associate editor Ferial Haffajee, chairperson of the South African Institute of International Affairs Moeletsi Mbeki, Build One South Africa Leader Mmusi Maimane and founder and CEO of Ground Work Collective Mbali Ntuli, will unpack this issue.

Venue: 50 Ennis Road, Parkview, Johannesburg

Claim a complimentary ticket here.



On Wednesday, 23 October at 6pm, Ground Work Collective will host an online discussion on electoral reform.

The webinar will unpack the changes needed to ensure fair representation for all and how South Africans can participate.

Ground Work Collective CEO Mbali Ntuli will be joined by Electoral Reform Consultation Panel chairperson Richard Sizani and UP lecturer Sithembile Mbete to explore key issues around electoral reform and public participation.

To book your place, call 083 349 7423 or email [email protected] 



On Thursday, 24 October at 9am, Public Interest SA will host its inaugural whistle-blower summit where whistle-blower protection and the advancement of ethical governance in South Africa will be discussed.

“This landmark event is dedicated to fostering transparency, ethical governance and accountability in both the public and private sectors. The event brings together influential whistle-blowers, thought leaders, activists, and experts to discuss critical issues affecting our society,” Public Interest SA said.

The summit will feature a keynote address by Chancellor of the University of Free State Professor Bonang Mohale. Other distinguished speakers include Auditor-General Tsakane Maluleke, CEO of The Ethics Institute Dr Liezl Groenewald, Eskom chairperson Dr Mteto Nyati and Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka.

The speakers will contribute to crucial discussions on safeguarding whistle-blowers and strengthening the frameworks that protect ethical governance in South Africa.

Venue: The Maslow Times Square Hotel, Menlyn, Pretoria

To join the discussion, register here.



Also on Thursday, at 5.30 pm, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation for Human Rights and EMS Productions, will launch a six-part documentary series on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Truth Be Told: Pursuing the truth of the stories from the TRC seeks to put the commission process under a microscope and bears testament to the ongoing work of reckoning with SA’s unfinished past histories.

Venue: Nelson Mandela Foundation, 107 Central Street, Houghton Estate

RSVP at [email protected]



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