Nelson Mandela Foundation

Nelson Mandela Foundation publishes community conversations case studies

March 25, 2011 –  Following a successful pilot project by the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s dialogue division, it is proud to announce that case studies written by its head facilitators are now available on the website for download.

Nelson Mandela Foundation publishes booklet on social cohesion

January 10, 2011 – Following the outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa in 2008, the Nelson Mandela Foundation started a series of facilitated dialogues in those communities most affected, in an effort to build social cohesion and understanding between South Africans and foreign nationals. The Foundation has just released a book capturing this two-year-long process, its achievements and challenges.

“Dialogue for Social Change” interrogates the role of law and the media in responding to xenophobia

September 15, 2010 – The media’s portrayal of xenophobic attacks was one of the controversial issues discussed, together with questions around the role and the rule of law and justice, on the second day of the “Dialogue for Social Change” seminar, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation at the Protea Hotel Parktonian.

Foundation wraps up social cohesion programme with seminar on dialogue for social change

September 15, 2010 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted a two-day seminar to wrap up their two-year-long community conversation social cohesion pilot programme.

Tensions in Leandra boil over

May 13, 2010 – “Why would they do such a thing? Here we are seeking solutions and they attempt to torch us. This is not the mind of a person who is really interested in resolving issues. These are criminals hiding behind service delivery protests.” These words, from a participant in the Nelson Mandela Foundation-supported community conversations on social cohesion, expressed the disappointment and shock that lay at the heart of the Leandra community after attempts by arsonists to burn the community hall participants had gathered in to discuss challenges their community face.

Tackling corruption and a culture of silence and impunity

March 19, 2010 – The second community conversation to promote social cohesion was held in Diepsloot on March 16, 2010. This follows on a conversation held in the same informal settlement on February 25, 2010.

Foundation hosts National Consultative Meeting

March 15, 2010 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation convened a National Consultative Meeting to reflect on the challenges and opportunities for building better relationships between South African and migrant communities, following their successful completion of 25 community dialogues in five provinces.

Kamaqhekeza community commit to turning dreams to reality

March, 4 2010 – A fight over a girl leads to one man being stabbed to death and the perpetrators hiding, because they anticipate the community’s response to the killing. Proving their fears, the community hunts them down, finding them as they’re about to hand themselves over at the police station, where they’ve fled to find refuge.

Community members start talking at the first Diepsloot community conversation

March 2, 2010 –The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) held its first Diepsloot township community conversation, after the xenophobic violence that rocked the community in 2008.

Leandra community at a crossroads

February 25, 2010 – The small town of Leandra in Mpumalanga, South Africa, stands at a crossroads.

Communities come together in the spirit of humanity and equality

February 12, 2010 – The third community conversation event for Durban’s Albert Park community became a joint celebration of the rights of individuals, as it took place on the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. This was a timely event for the community, which, after going through a series of action-planning exercises, was looking to create a better future.

Community conversation focuses on reconciliation and nation building

February 12, 2010 – Yesterday, on the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, the community of Walmer Bay township in Port Elizabeth convened at the Human Dignity Centre for its second community conversation.

Nelson Mandela Foundation community conversations social cohesion booklet published

January 22, 2010 – In 2009 the Foundation, along with its operational partners, in accordance with its mandate to foster Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation, launched an initiative to advance social cohesion in a select number of South African communities.

Albert Park moves into action

November 5, 2009 – “It’s only us who can really understand our challenges and come up with appropriate solutions. The time for talking is over. It’s now time for action.”

African history shines light on community life

September 14, 2009 – “They need to come and cough out what really hurts them.” These words, from a participant in the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s community conversations on social cohesion, aptly express what the series is for. It creates a safe space where ordinary people can open up and talk – and start to act constructively. 

Community conversation in Albert Park builds social cohesion

August 24, 2009 – Albert Park, a culturally diverse suburb in Durban where many immigrants live, was the setting for a community conversation on August 15 to promote social cohesion among residents.

Khayelitsha dialogue rejects violence on Mandela Day

July 20, 2009 – On the first Mandela Day, July 18, 2009, the community of Khayelitsha in Cape Town convened its second community conversation on social cohesion. About 25 people attended the event.They honoured the meaning of Mandela Day by discussing important social issues such as xenophobia and trying to come up with solutions

Social cohesion in the spotlight

July 17, 2009 – Media stereotypes about migrants and the need for government to condemn violence more strongly were discussed at the first meeting of the Social Cohesion Reference Group at the Nelson Mandela Foundation yesterday.

Healing starts with understanding history

June 26, 2009 – The need for healing to overcome the divisions of the past emerged as the central concern at a community conversation in Atteridgeville, near Pretoria, on June 20.

Organised by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with the Sonke Gender Justice Network, the Jesuit Refugee Services, the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, the National Children’s and Violence Trust, and the Somali Association of South Africa, the community conversation in Atteridgeville was the first of a series of community dialogues in Gauteng province to promote social cohesion in communities affected by violence and xenophobia.

Community conversations teams refine their techniques

May 22, 2009 – Community conversation teams gathered from around the country, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, to continue their training in the Community Capacity Enhancement (CCE) methodology (link to downloadable PDF).

The six-day workshop, from Tuesday, May 19, to Sunday, May 24, looked to gather feedback from the teams on the facilitation of the community conversations to date, and to review the theory and application of the CCE methods and tools used in the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s community conversations programmes.