Violent protests: are municipalities listening?

As elections approach, what insights do local government organisations have about this worrying trend, and what can be done?

Date: 2016-07-20

Time: 10:00 to 12:30

Venue: Conference room , ISS Pretoria , Block C , Brooklyn Court , map

RSVP: Mandy Badenhorst
Phone: +27 12 346 9500
Email: [email protected]

Click here to download the presentations

Municipal elections in South Africa are just over two weeks away, and levels of violent protest are increasing. What insights do local government organisations have about this worrying trend, and what challenges do they face when responding?

Research shows that communities typically use multiple official channels to air their concerns, often with little or no satisfaction. In some instances, violent protests are the last resort when people feel their voices are not being heard. South Africa’s high levels of structural violence, inequality, unemployment and corruption underpin these dynamics.

This seminar aims to help government, business, the media and civil society leaders understand how they can contribute to stopping violence associated with protest action. This event is co-hosted with the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation and the Social Justice Initiative.

Chair: Gareth Newham, Head, Governance, Crime and Justice division, ISS

Speakers:

• Andries Nel, Deputy Minister, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
• Nomfundo Mogapi, Executive Director, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
• Lizette Lancaster, Manager, Crime and Justice Information Hub, ISS
• Justin Steyn, Policy Analyst, South African Local Government Association