Watch: The DWF Regional Symposium keynote addresses

Democracy Works Foundation (DWF) hosted The Southern Africa Regional Symposium, a significant initiative to address critical challenges in advancing democratic governance and electoral integrity in the region.

Watch the opening session here:

DWF Regional Symposium Opening key note remarks

This gathering focused on the role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and normative frameworks, particularly those outlined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), in promoting democratic values.

Watch the keynote addresses and sessions from Days two and three

Day two: DWF Regional Symposium

Day three: DFW Regional Symposium

The symposium sought to fulfil the following objectives:

To raise awareness and share knowledge on the AU Charter and SADC norms on advancing democratic governance and electoral integrity
To facilitate systematic peer to peer learning on the use of civic technologies in advancing the democratic governance and electoral integrity
To identify mechanisms for effective advocacy and engagement between civil society, political actors and AGA members including SADC, in the promotion of democracy and good governance in the region.

Held from 12 – 14 March 2024 in Johannesburg, this regional symposium was organised under the auspices of the Charter Project Africa, funded by the European Union, and the USAID-funded programme called Political Parties for Resilient and Inclusive Democracies in Southern Africa.

Lerato Maloka

Lerato is an accomplished Communications professional with over 12 years of expertise in 360 communications, specialising in digital marketing, user experience research and strategy. Certified in Digital Marketing, she's overseen the strategic and creative development of female care brands and CSI departments of organisations like Tiger Brands and South African National Blood Service (SANBS). During her agency tenure as PR Manager, she has conceptualised captivating media engagement and bespoke events – building solid relationships with key stakeholders, media, and social media content creators. She is passionate about using digital technology to enhance citizen voices for change, especially regarding women and youth living with mental disabilities and holistic wellness.