1. Organisational Details - African Diaspora Forum
(ADF)
The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) is an umbrella
organization of migrants organisations living in South Africca created in the
aftermath of the 2008 xenophobic
attacks to work for an integrated society
that is free of xenophobia and all other kinds of discriminations. The
organisation’s aims to promote and consolidate a Pan African forum for African
residents of whatever nationality to work together to build one common voice on
common issues, and a shared feeling of belonging to Africa. Its further seeks
to facilitate and develop relationships, exchanges and mutual understanding
between South Africans and foreign nationals living in South Africa (in
particular, but not exclusively, through pan African cultural events;
participation of civil society organisations at the local level – such as
community policing forums, civics, street committees, etc.). ADF also works to
insure that xenophobic statements/attitude in public discourses and policies do
not remain unchallenged; and to work with South African institutions (at the
national, provincial and local level). ADF promotes integration between all
African communities and dismiss discriminatory policies that fuel xenophobia.
The Forum is open to all willing individuals and organisations sharing its
objectives. It consists of the union of
a number of organisations representing African migrant communities living in
South Africa. So far 34 African countries are represented in the Forum
including: Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Morocco,
Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda,
Zambia, Zimbabwe, Benin, Mali, Gabon,
Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, etc. For more information: http://www.adf.org.za.
work for an integrated society that is free of
xenophobia and all other kinds of discrimination;
·
promote and consolidate a Pan African forum for African
residents of whatever nationality to work together to build one common voice on
common issues, and a shared feeling of belonging to Africa;
·
facilitate and develop relationships, exchanges and
mutual understanding between South Africans and non-South African residents in
South Africa (in particular, but not exclusively, through the organisation of
pan African cultural events; through the participation in civil society
organisations at the local level – such as community policing forums, civics,
street committees, etc.); and
·
Make sure that xenophobic statements/attitude in
public discourses and policies do not remain unchallenged; and to work with
South African institutions (at the national, provincial and local level) to
promote integration between all African communities and to dismiss those
discriminatory policies that fuel xenophobia.
Key projects since its creation in 2008
ADF's key achievements include the following:
·
Alexandra Pan
African Carnival 2008 – We held a
collection of workshops and engaged with the embassies and schools in the
township of Alexandra. These activities culminated in a carnival to celebrate
Africanism and African culture to learn and share the cultures of Africa.
·
Youth African
Soccer Cup. (April to June
2009) – Ahead of the Confederation Cup hosted in South
Africa in June 2009, ADF organised the East Johannesburg schools’ soccer
competition involving all African countries! This sports competition showcased
unity in diversity, and that harmonious coexistence of all African cultures is
possible. The project was hosted by ADF, together with LETU 6, was supported by
the FIFA 2010 local organising committee (LOC) which brought the Ivorian
international player Drogba Didier of Chelsea to meet and inspire over 4,000
learners in the East of Johannesburg.
·
Awareness Campaigning – In May 2010 ADF organised the Africa Week Festival, and the Africa
Heritage Indaba on 25 September, both aimed at celebrating the diverse heritage
of all people in South Africa and Africa. For the Heritage Indaba, ADF brought
together Hugh Masekela , police Minister Nathi Mthethewa, United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, Elinor Sisulu, community leaders, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs
and cultural performers in a fun-filled afternoon celebrating diverse cultures.
·
Township Challenge Soccer Tournament: (On
Saturday 22 May 2010 in Randfontein, the Township Challenge soccer tournament
brought together soccer teams form Randfontein (Mohlakeng), Kagiso, Mamelodi,
Atteridgeville, Sharpeville, Orlando, Tembisa, and Khutsong, as a way of
promoting diversity and integration. The tournament, supported by IOM and UNHCR, was designed to promote a culture of
tolerance and unity in diversity through sports. The winning team received a
grant of 80,000 Rand (8000 $) for a community development project in their
township, thereby adding value to their community.
·
Many Faces,
One Africa: The African
Diaspora Forum, in partnership with the Community Media for Development (CMFD)
Productions, and with the support of the Foundation for Human Rights,
successfully organised the Migrant Rights are Human Rights Pan African
celebration held at the Yeoville Recreation Centre on the 21st of May 2011. The
Pan African concert brought together more than 600 people, representing the
many cultures and colours of Africa, in the spirit of celebrating African
diversity and the human rights of migrants.
·
Advocacy/Advisory – ADF works
with local and city administrators, in order to help provide a voice for
migrants. For example, ADF coordinated information sharing sessions to address
issues of Inner City Regeneration (CR) with stakeholders residing and working
within the jurisdiction. African migrants are generally reluctant to attend
public meetings (because of fear, low expectations, experience of repression
and xenophobia), and they appreciated the extra effort made by the City to
involve them in discussions about urban matters.
·
Commemoration
to Honor the Victims of Xenophobia- Since 2008, ADF has been commemorating the 2008 xenophobic attacks every single
year in May including 2012. This is to remember the thousands of people
displaced during the attacks, the 62 people who lost their lives. We also use these events to raise ongoing
issues of xenophobia, bring together some academics, politicians, activists to
reflect on xenophobic situation of South Africa
·
Africa Week
Series of Events:
This event is hosted every year. The Africa Week Carnival and Festival is a
multi-cultural vehicle for the promotion of human rights and social cohesion.
Its aim is to promote democracy and combat all forms of discrimination,
including racism, sexism and xenophobia. It does this through: celebrating the richness and diversity of
African and international, culture in song, dance, music, art, film, craft,
clothing and food; fostering dialogue
and discussion on a variety of themes relating to human rights, Africa, the
African Diaspora, culture, democracy and the economy. It also has a continental
function: to celebrate Africa Day and
the African Union, and to encourage dynamic links between the continental body
and communities on the ground in member states to build links between South
African-based African Embassies and High Commissions and community
organisations in the host country. More information on Africa week please see www.adf.org.za
·
Migrants
Citizen and Legal Advice and Referral Centre: aimed at serving migrants
in and around Johannesburg, the centre welcomes, assesses, assist and when
necessary refer migrants and citizen seeking legal and socio-economic support
in and out of Johannesburg. The centre works in close collaboration with
service providers to adequately respond to migrants needs.
·
World Social
Forum on Migration 2014 (WSFM): The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) was the hub of the
6th World Social Forum on Migration that took place in South Africa
from 5-8th of December 2014 in Johannesburg. ADF led a team of 95
social movements which constituted the
Local Organising Committee of the World Social Forum on Migrations 2014.
The World Social Forum on Migrations (WFSM) is one of the thematic processes of
the World Social Forum (WSF). The WSF is a global process of, and by, social
movements, mass organisations, civil society, activists and advocates. As
reflected by its slogan, "Another World Is Possible", it explores an
alternative world order, and the building of societies and communities
characterized by mutually-beneficial relationships among people and with the
environment. WSF promotes and consolidates a globalization of solidarity,
collective analysis, discourse, and people's action. The WSFM, in particular,
provides a space for democratic debate, reflection, sharing of ideas and
experiences, cultural exchange, socialization, networking, enhancing
solidarity, consensus-building, discussion of plans and strategies, and
popularization of positions, agendas and actions on migration and
mobility-related issues. More information on the WSFM 2014 can be found at www.wsfm2014.com
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