Become a Democracy Builder

Redefining South Africa’s Political Centre

Welcome

Introduction

Stepping into the Rivonia Circle is an opportunity to be part of a community of change makers, who are ready to think, imagine, debate, support, take action and participate in the task of building the South Africa we deserve to live in tomorrow, starting today.

Learn more about our work and decide the role you would like to play in the Rivonia Circle

 

Our democracy builders

The DEMOCRACY BUILDER is a structured listening tool. It is our flagship program which mobilises and supports communities of South Africans from all backgrounds and orientations to take action by building solutions to local problems they want to solve. Politics is the power to act. We all have some power to identify problems and act to change them. The DEMOCRACY BUILDER program makes a politics practical. Redefining politics as the “power to act” the things that anyone can participate in to change our communities.

First, a conversation about democracy, governance, politics and activism, where people share their thoughts and experiences of these concepts. Secondly, we go into a discussion around the issues faced by participants in their communities and ask people to imagine what South Africa 2.0 would look like if the issues they face would be solved. Lastly, we then co-create projects that will directly respond to issues within the community.

We as communities to commit to a 6 week project, that they will plan and implement in their community. Most projects have continued on beyond the initial 6 week time frame because people see the value their projects bring to them as the groups but also to the broader community and people want to do something that keeps them engaged in the democratic or governance process in an everyday kind of way.

The DEMOCRACY BUILDER program mobilises and supports communities of South Africans from all backgrounds and orientations to take action by building solutions to local problems they want to solve. Politics is the power to act. We all have some power to identify problems and act to change them. The DEMOCRACY BUILDER program makes a politics practical. Redefining politics as the “power to act” the things that anyone can participate in to change our communities.

Rivonia Circle has a commitment to using innovative technologies and methods to reach out to a broad spectrum of South Africans whose experiences, ideas, aspirations and challenges will inform knowledge products and practical interventions to bring to life a new democratic and  political culture. With an intention to mobilise people back into democratic participation, the Rivonia Circle’s programmes are designed to deliver on three key outcomes, namely insights, solutions and agency.

Key to delivering on these outcomes is a commitment to methodologies that are participatory, appreciative of people’s experiences and the value all people bring to dialogue and projects, centering people rather than institutions in politics and governance

It’s no secret that our country has declined into darkness, but like a beacon of light, we gather the long thought indifferent youth who’re dedicated to bringing South Africa back into the light! Through multiple public events like the Activist Exchange and the Hackathon, we have sure proof that the youth of our country aren’t afraid to take the reins. 

From political solutions to technological advances, there is no ceiling our youth can’t breach – and through our special projects, we will provide the platform to launch them even higher. 

The Policy and Research Unit was founded to produce cutting edge policy ideas and research outputs in order to reimagine our political institutions and culture, social policy, and political economy to support a more inclusive, just and prosperous society.

Our research and consultation methods centre people’s voices in unearthing expert knowledge from communities, stakeholders, and academic institutions.

We focus on community-based projects led by activists, community members, civil society organisations and academics trying to solve problems faced today in ways that will shape policies for South Africa in the future.
Our work also includes case studies of best practices, community-based action research, surveys and focus groups, public lectures and seminars.

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