Local Actions

Posts

Zero evidence video shows boxes of ‘hidden’, ‘uncounted’ votes cast in South Africa’s 2024 elections

A video has been posted on social media with the claim it shows sealed and hidden ballot boxes full of uncounted votes from South Africa’s May 2024 elections. But according to the country’s electoral commission, the video shows resealed ballot boxes that have been stored at the commission’s warehouse.

Sibongile Ndlovu | 3 min read | Jun 21, 2024

Promises kept and broken in the African National Congress’ election manifestos: 2019 vs 2024

South Africa’s ruling party made several commitments in its 2019 manifesto. How many were kept and how many made it back to the 2024 version?

Duduzile | 16 min read | Apr 30, 2024

UNDEF-funded project to strengthen media literacy and fact-checking skills

With support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), Africa Check, the continent’s leading independent fact-checking organisation, will implement a four-year multi-pronged project to fight misinformation and strengthen democracy.

Duduzile | 2 min read | Dec 30, 2023

A cloudy outlook? What we are learning about election disinformation in Africa and what you can do about it

As nearly a dozen countries in the region prepare to hold presidential elections, the spread of disinformation is inflaming the continent's political landscape. Will facts prevail and calm the situation?

Duduzile | 7 min read | Dec 30, 2023

A cloudy outlook? What we are learning about election disinformation in Africa and what you can do about it

As nearly a dozen countries in the region prepare to hold presidential elections, the spread of disinformation is inflaming the continent's political landscape. Will facts prevail and calm the situation?

Hive Mind | 7 min read | Dec 30, 2023

Running a compelling online campaign through digital storytelling

The internet has become a powerful tool for social advocacy. Campaigners are increasingly relying on Digital Storytelling (DST) to get their message across and garner support for their cause. The power shift from powerful institutions into the hands of grassroots communities has given activists a larger platform to organise engagements and build momentum for movements. However, it is important to note that online media consumers exist in the era of what has been duped by the attention economy and information overload. Your campaign runs the risk of getting lost in the plethora of available digital content, if you do not portray a compelling story.

Dorianne | 6 min read | Dec 18, 2023

Running a compelling online campaign through digital storytelling

The internet has become a powerful tool for social advocacy. Campaigners are increasingly relying on Digital Storytelling (DST) to get their message across and garner support for their cause. The power shift from powerful institutions into the hands of grassroots communities has given activists a larger platform to organise engagements and build momentum for movements. However, it is important to note that online media consumers exist in the era of what has been duped by the attention economy and information overload. Your campaign runs the risk of getting lost in the plethora of available digital content, if you do not portray a compelling story.

Dorianne | 6 min read | Nov 2, 2023

Running a compelling online campaign through digital storytelling

The internet has become a powerful tool for social advocacy. Campaigners are increasingly relying on Digital Storytelling (DST) to get their message across and garner support for their cause. The power shift from powerful institutions into the hands of grassroots communities has given activists a larger platform to organise engagements and build momentum for movements. However, it is important to note that online media consumers exist in the era of what has been duped by the attention economy and information overload. Your campaign runs the risk of getting lost in the plethora of available digital content, if you do not portray a compelling story.

Sibongile Ndlovu | 6 min read | Oct 31, 2023

Disinformation in the South African Elections Soup

As we draw nearer to the end of 2023, South Africans, with both glee and uncertainty, are gearing up for the national and provincial elections scheduled for May/Jun 2024. This will be the seventh democratic general election held democratically in South Africa since 1994, with many pronouncing that these upcoming elections are to be a watershed moment. Similar to the previous six democratically held elections in South Africa since 1994, the 2024 general elections also come with their own set of challenges that have the potential to undermine the credibility of the elections. To mitigate these challenges, we shall first define and explore them and their nature, look at how they could possibly undermine elections and infringe on human rights, and then contemplate adequate, effective responses to these challenges to ensure the credibility and integrity of our elections.

Azola | 7 min read | Oct 31, 2023

Local actions to overcome poor governance: Discovering obstacles and benefits of local actions

ln recent years, there has been a growing recognition that poor governance can have profound and negative impacts on local communities. When governments fail to provide basic services, ensure social justice, or protect the environment, it can lead to frustration, anger, and even social unrest. However, civil society organisations have stepped up to fill the gap left by ineffective or corrupt governments, taking local actions to improve the lives of people in their communities.

Sibongile Ndlovu | 7 min read | Jul 18, 2023