Isandla Institute

GGLN State of Local Governance report launch

Isandla Institute — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:19:00 +0000

The GGLN is proud to announce the launch of the 2009/2010 State of Local Governance report entitled, Ethical Leadership and Political Culture in Local Government: A Civil Society Perspective on Local Governance in South Africa. The launch will be taking place on 28 July at 15h00 in Cape Town (venue TBC). If you are interested in attending the launch, please contact admin@isandla.org.za, or please call Letitia Mater on 021 683 7903. Booking is essential.

The State of Local Governance Review is the flagship research project of the GGLN. Research from the project culminates in a civil society-based assessment of the key challenges, debates and areas of progress with regard to governance and development at local level in South Africa. It has been well received in the public space and holds a high degree of prestige. With insights into the complexities within the sphere of local government, it is envisaged that the report would be of benefit to key decision-makers, practitioners and policy-makers in local government as well as community organisations and NGO's working in this field. The report is also intended to be used to build awareness of, and mobilise support within civil society and appropriate government institutions for the key advocacy positions of the GGLN.

New face at Isandla

Isandla Institute — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:18:00 +0000

Meera Ramjee is the newly appointed Coordinator of the Good Governance Learning Network and an employee of Isandla Institute. Meera completed her Masters in Industrial Sociology (cum laude) at the University of Johannesburg and has a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as an Honours degree, also in Industrial Sociology from the University of Witwatersrand. Previously, she worked at TNS Research Surveys as an Account Manager in the Public Sector team.

New face at Isandla Institute

Isandla Institute — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:24:00 +0000

Isandla Institute has recently appointed Tristan Gorgens as the Policy Researcher for the Urban Land and Integration Programme. Tristan studied at UCT (BA in Psychology and Sociology, Honours in Development Studies, Masters in Human Geography) and was awarded a Mandela-Rhodes Scholarship and a Steven Bantu Biko Leadership Fellowship. He has lectured at UCT and been involved in NGOs focused on youth development, social justice and diversity issues. He is currently interested in addressing urban land issues in ways that unlock 'the right the city' to all of its inhabitants.

What we're up to

Isandla Institute — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:09:00 +0000

Isandla Institute is concerned that urban land is not given sufficient recognition in debates about urban development and just cities. A key question we are currently exploring is whether delinking urban land from housing opens up new possibilities for intervention and change and whether it will allow us to look differently at the role of land use and spatial planning. Watch this space!

Right to the City

Isandla Institute — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:00:00 +0000

The 'Right to the City' is a new documentary produced by Isandla Institute. The documentary follows Gideon, the principal character, through an average day. His daily routine highlights the struggles and inequities faced by the majority of urban residents, who find themselves marginalised and excluded from urban opportunities. Gideon's story and experience is echoed by those of Levina and Phila, making the point that approaches to urban development have yet to prove successful in addressing social inequality, exclusion and injustice.

The Right to the City provokes discussion on a range of issues, including urban planning, unemployment, housing and service delivery, social exclusion and segregation in urban settlements. While set in Cape Town, South Africa, The Right to the City highlights urban realities across the global South.

The documentary was launched at Isandla Institute's 10th anniversary event, September 2009.

For more information about the documentary, please contact us at 021 683 7903 or send us an email at admin@isandla.org.za