Right2Know Campaign KZN

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A number of NGO’s and CBO’s were invited to participate in the discussion of formulating a campaign group in KZN under the R2K banner during the forum discussion in Durban at the Diakonia offices. With the DDP’s three thematic areas being Good Governance, Human Rights and Socio and Economic Justice, we believed that this campaign spoke to the organisation directly and almost forced our involvement. Other organisations that headed the call were; Clairwood Social Movement, Silverglen Civic Forum, Zimbabwe Refugee Community, Dalton Hostel, KZNRC, FXN/DSM, Eco Peace, Diakonia Council of Churches, Rate Payers Association, Greenwood Park Community, Abahlali aBasemjondolo and SDCEA.

During discussions it was decided that a steering committee be formed and this will require a coordinator. A call was made for nominations and motivations for an individual or organisation to coordinate the KZN steering committee. Of the three that were submitted the DDP was chosen as the suitable organisation to handle this task as it had the necessary infrastructure and facilities to ensure this process was managed effectively and professionally.

There have been very tight deadlines for the KZN steering committee as the group was formulated in the beginning of October 2010 and there were proposed dates for National campaigning that were already scheduled for the 19th-27th of October 2010. The steering committee met often and was able to formulate a plan for the Week of Action that was to raise the level of consciousness among civil society leading up to the National march that took place on the 27 October 2010. 
 

Campaigns that took place during the week of action target various groups in and around the Durban CBD as it was convenient for people to participate. The campaigns addressed a host of topics like; Pickets outside the SABC and Durban City Hall and KZN Legislature in Pietermaritzburg, The Last Press Conference, Black Thursday, Football Friday, Motor Car Cavalcade with a hearse and coffin and the mock book burning. Appeals were made to religious institutions to raise the level of awareness among their constituents during their gatherings. This all culminated with a mass march that was supported by over 600 people from various organisations and individuals across all race groups and ages. A memorandum containing the Right2 Know Campaign’s statement was handed over to a representative of the Premiers office on the stairs of the Durban City.

A number of discussions will be held both locally and provincially to discuss the way forward for the campaign and to assess its effectiveness. The R2K campaign is scheduled to run till January 2011 with an evaluation and reporting process. This campaign is fully funded by the Open Society Foundation through the AIDC.