I’ve received a flood of emails since sending out my last email in January. Some writers offered words of encouragement; others posed questions. I have been unable to respond to each email due to a frenetic global induction schedule coupled with my regular work, but please be assured that I have read every one.
Today marks my 45th day at the helm of the Open Society Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA) – an organisation I have long admired for its bravery in advancing equality, social justice and basic human rights in my country – and as a member of the African and global Open Society Foundations. This time has been something of a whirlwind for me but also stimulating and enlightening. It has filled me with hope and a sense of purpose.
New York—The Open Society Foundations announced today the formation of a new $330,000 fund to support human rights defenders in South Africa, who in recent years have faced a steady increase in harassment, intimidation, and violence. Over three years, the fund—known as The South African Human Rights Defenders Fund—will support advocates working on land, housing, and environmental rights, with a special emphasis on aiding women advocates who face threats and violence.
The JER programme on 4 October 2019 hosted a dialogue with CSOs in response to incidents of xenophobic violence which occurred in early September 2019 in the inner cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The Research and Advocacy Unit at OSF-SA supported Amnesty International South Africa in conducting a research project on the state of human rights of asylum seekers, refugees and international migrants at Refugee Reception Offices in South Africa.
The Open Society Foundations is excited to announce the appointment of Bulelwa Ngewana as the Director of Open Society Foundations South Africa (OSF-SA) effective from 1 November 2019.
The Open Society Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA) strongly condemns the recent incidents of violence against women and attacks on non-South Africans.
Over three days, we were joined by over 200 grantees, donors, the Open Society Foundation network, staff and board members including the Soros family.
Following the March 2019 workshop on People Power: Access to Justice and Legal Empowerment hosted by the Open Society Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA), we invite proposals and innovative project ideas from organisations that would like to develop, and lead national and international advocacy efforts designed to promote the statutory recognition, regulation and the provision of public funding for community justice services in South Africa.
Our partners have set up a range of projects for voters to access the information they need to make an informed decision come Election Day.