Southern African Council of NGOs

Transparency International spotlighted how corruption and discrimination continue to affect vulnerable and marginalised groups within the education and healthcare sectors. Initiatives as ISDA seek to address systemic governance gaps and promote accountability #AHLSS2026 #SADC

Annual High-Level Stakeholders Symposium 2026 day 2 part 1: Combating Corruption in Health and Education Systems - Safeguarding Human Capital Development SADC #AHLSS2026 #SADC #REGIONALINTERGRATION #INCLUSIVEDEVELOPMENT #RISDP #AfCFTA

SAf-CNGO is hosting the Annual High-Level Stakeholders Symposium in Mahé, Seychelles; focus on inclusive, people-centred partnerships, engagement and implementation Yesterday’s sessions highlighted critical issues of gender, power, corruption and debt. #AHLSS2026 #SADC

Let’s strengthen partnerships for a more inclusive and prosperous Southern Africa. #SADC #RISDP #RegionalIntegration #AfCFTA

20–22 April 2026
📍 Mahé, Seychelles A high-level regional platform bringing together policymakers, civil society, and development partners to advance people-centred regional integration, RISDP implementation, and inclusive trade under AfCFTA.

SAVE THE DATE 2026 Annual High-Level Stakeholders Symposium (#AHLSS2026) 20–22 April 2026 Mahe, Seychelles

The curtains came down on the #APMONConference and we left with great memories, lessons and strengthened partnerships✨ @MzalendoWatch had the pleasure of joining other @APMONAfrica partners at the 5th #APMONConference that brought together delegates from 29 African States. Over the 3 days, we engaged in diverse conversations on Open Parliaments, strengthening partnerships between Legislatures and the Civil Society and people-centered leadership by representatives. Noting the global regression on democracy, our Executive Director and Chair of APMON, @carole_gaita noted that Parliaments remain a key bastion towards holding the line for #democracy and being true representatives of the people, if #trust is to be rebuilt between institutions of governance and the people. #OpenHouse

These sentiments were echoed by the President of the @AfrikParliament, H.E Hon.Chief Fortune Charumbira @PapPresident . “Leaders need to be open to dialogue because it is through dialogue that we can hold each other accountable,” Chief Fortune emphasised. He also acknowledged that the legislature and civil society should actively collaborate and co-create solutions to address the challenges that face citizens on the continents. Through the civil society, citizens can have a deeper appreciation for the role of national and regional legislatures and hold them accountable. #APMONConference #OpenHouse

In this same breadth, our program coordinator, @GWamere joined a panel to explore real cases where partnerships between the civil society and the legislature have enhanced openness, transparency and accountability in National Parliaments. 🇰🇪Kenya’s @opengovpart initiative has seen the Open Parliaments agenda being placed at the forefront with the establishment of the Parliamentary OGP Caucus, in addition to the commitments contained in the 5th National Action Plan. However, more remains to be done by going beyond the #OGP commitments and embedding the values of open governance in practice. In a separate panel moderated by our ED, @carole_gaita, delegates emphasised that #OpenParliaments are crucial in enhancing citizen participation and responding to citizens needs through information-sharing, grassroots engagements, feedback mechanisms and data-informed policies. #APMONConference #OpenHouse

In a learning session, @MzalendoWatch alongside other Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations (PMOs) showcased the strategies and civic tech tools used to monitor Parliaments. This inspiring showcase demonstrated the power of innovation, data and collaboration in bridging the gap between Parliaments and the people. We left the conference inspired and with a deepened drive to continue enhancing openness, inclusion and accountability in Parliaments in Kenya and across the continent. A massive thank you to @PMG_SA and @CHR_HumanRights, @UPTuks for their kind hospitality during the conference. Until next time! 🥂

Huge thanks to all partners, organizers & participants for making #PEMO2025 a remarkable success! 🌍💡 #APMONConference #OpenHouse

🌍 15th NGO Directors Summer Retreat: Shaping the Future of Civic Space and Development Financing 📅 The countdown is on! From 27–28 November 2025, over 120 civil society leaders, development partners, private sector actors, and policymakers will gather at Urban Lifestyle Hotel, Masvingo for Zimbabwe’s premier civil society leadership platform—the NGO Directors Summer Retreat. Running under the theme: ✨ “Navigating New Frontiers: Development Financing and Civic Space in Transition” The Retreat offers a space to: ✅ Rethink strategies amidst funding shifts and regulatory reforms. ✅ Engage with policymakers and regulators. ✅ Explore opportunities around NDS2, FATF Mutual Evaluation, and localisation. ✅ Celebrate outstanding CSO achievements at the 13th Annual NGO Awards Ceremony. 💡 Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, reflect, and chart the future of civic space in Zimbabwe. 👉 Save the Date: 27–28 November 2025 📍 Venue: Urban Lifestyle Hotel, Masvingo 🔗 Register here: lnkd.in/dy7MVTpn 🗓 Deadline: 31 October 2025 ✨ Join us—where strategy, solidarity, and innovation meet! #DirectorsSummerRetreat #CivicSpaceMatters #ChangingTheNarrative

@opengovpart @BenOAryeh @GWamere @jmakambwe @PNAfricawatch @PMG_SA @Opengovghana @OGPSouthAfrica @article19wafric @MagambaNetwork @carole_gaita @SAf_CNGO @AfrikParliament @Senate_KE @SONSA_NSA @MzalendoWatch @DireLegislativo @Osman_Moallim @OpenParlyZw @ParlPress @CofZambia @HlezipiMM @MagambaTV We swiftly moved into thematic parallel sessions on: ▶️African Elections & Change ▶️ Reclaiming the Narrative, Opening the doors of Parliament ▶️AI & Governance | Case Study Deep Dive from @centre4policy

@opengovpart @BenOAryeh @GWamere @jmakambwe @PNAfricawatch @PMG_SA @Opengovghana @OGPSouthAfrica @article19wafric @MagambaNetwork @carole_gaita @SAf_CNGO @AfrikParliament @Senate_KE @SONSA_NSA @MzalendoWatch @DireLegislativo @Osman_Moallim @OpenParlyZw @ParlPress #OpenParliaments are crucial in enhancing citizen participation in policy and lawmaking processes and addressing pressing issues that face citizens. From information-sharing, grassroots engagements, feedback mechanisms and data-informed policies. #OpenHouse #APMONConference

Big news from Magamba Network! Our Operations Director, Munyaradzi Dodo, is attending the 5th PEMO (Parliamentary Engagement & Monitoring Organisations) Annual Meeting. #OpenParliament #OpenHouse {1/3}

@opengovpart @BenOAryeh @GWamere @jmakambwe @PNAfricawatch @PMG_SA @Opengovghana @OGPSouthAfrica @article19wafric @MagambaNetwork @carole_gaita @SAf_CNGO @AfrikParliament @Senate_KE The second panel of the day, moderated by our Chair - @carole_gaita, focused on #OpenParliaments. Lessons drawn from Latin America, West Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa outlined the current status in National Parliaments and the strategies in place to enhance openness.

Currently, 23 African States are members of the @opengovpart, however, the commitments and mechanisms of OGP need to be embedded in practice to enhance transparency and service efficiency - @BenOAryeh, @GWamere, Kgothatso Semela and @jmakambwe urged in the panel. #OpenHouse

Highlights from Day 2 of the #APMONConference✨ Dr Undine Whande kicked us off with a reflection of the first day discussions. Shortly after, @Lebo1v1 led us into a panel discussion on the importance of partnership between civil society and the Legislature. #OpenHouse

It's Day 2 of the #APMONConference! Today's themes of discussion focus on partnerships between CSOs and Parliaments, #OpenParliaments, African elections & Change and AI & Governance Follow the conversations here 👉youtube.com/watch?v=DDq3Lj…