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When a new law regulating the work of civil society organisations was passed in Zimbabwe, tensions between the government and civil society increased. Many organisations were concerned about how the law would affect their ability to work and represent vulnerable groups.
The Palme Center’s partner organisation, the independent think tank Zimbabwe Institute (ZI), then took the initiative to resume dialogue with the authorities.
By bringing organisations together in a joint coordination group, the voice of civil society was strengthened and common grounds could be met. ZI also organised national dialogue meetings where civil society met with government representatives and relevant authorities.
These discussions focused on the implications of the law and how the regulations could be designed to function more effectively in practice.
The process led to a joint effort to develop principles and proposals for regulations on how the law should be implemented. The government has also clarified registration processes and shown greater openness to civil society’s interests.
This work has helped to rebuild trust between civil society and the state. At the same time, it has created better conditions for organisations to continue working on issues such as democracy, gender equality and human rights in Zimbabwe.
Updating the paralegal manual in South Africa – rights in practiceIn South Africa, the Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Education and Training Unit (ETU), has updated the Paralegal Manual this year.
The manual provides practical guidance on laws and legal processes that affect people’s daily lives, and is specifically designed for counselling offices, civil society organisations, trade union representatives and others who support vulnerable groups.
The manual comprises over 1,000 pages and is available online, via the Legal Fundi app and in print.
The material is used by civil society, government bodies and local representatives to provide practical support on issues relating to working conditions, social security and legal processes.
By further developing these much-needed methodological resources in collaboration with other actors, ETU is helping more people to assert their rights in practice.
Young and marginalised people take their place in South African politicsThrough targeted training programmes such as youth academies and party-affiliated workshops, the Palme Center’s partner organisation ETU has helped political parties in Southern Africa to include young and marginalised groups more fully in their leadership positions.
The results are clear: participants from the programmes have gone on to take up roles as local politicians, party officials and, in some cases, national leadership positions.
In South Africa, ETU contributed to policy processes within the ANC that resulted in decision making on greater inclusion, with LGBTQI people also being given a greater role in political leadership.
In Namibia, young people from the programme have taken up leadership roles and participated in key party processes at national level.
Overall, the parties have broadened their recruitment and are increasingly including new groups in political decision-making.
