South Africa’s safety challenges, especially in rural areas, receive widespread media coverage. While discussions about crime and violence are often polarised, there’s growing consensus that addressing these issues requires a whole-of-society approach.
But most responses still focus on security alone, despite evidence that this doesn’t yield lasting results, and examples of effective community-led solutions are rarely highlighted. Rural communities are already implementing innovative, cross-sector strategies that tackle violence and its root causes, like poverty and unemployment.
This seminar will share practical lessons from these community-led efforts and explore how they can inform broader safety and security responses.
Moderator: Senzekile Bengu, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies
Panelists:
- Dr Kathy Hurly, Kwanalu, Rural Strategy Project Manager
- Lynette Parsons, Lima Rural Development, Managing Director
- Thamsanqa Mzaku, Phaphama Initiatives, Director
