Ndifuna Ukwazi – DARE TO KNOW 2929 views

We are a group of activists that use research and strategic litigation to campaign for justice and equality in poor and working class communities. We contribute to building a movement in South Africa by supporting new organisations, mentoring young leaders and teaching activists.

We are activists and lawyers providing legal services, research capacity and training opportunities to communities in campaigns for justice & equalityGeneral Information Ndifuna Ukwazi (‘Dare to Know’) [formerly Centre for Law and Social Justice]Office 203, 47 on Strand, Strand Street, Cape Town, 8001 Tel: +27 (0) 21 423 3089 Fax: +27 (0) 21 423 7554 NPO number: "NPO 094-737" www.nu.org.zaNdifuna Ukwazi is a recently established not-for-profit Trust based in South Africa (SA). It was registered on 3 March 2011.The Trust was co-founded by: 1. Vuyiseka Dubula (General Secretary, Treatment Action Campaign) 2. Gavin Silber (Coordinator, Social Justice Coalition) 3. Doron Isaacs (Coordinator, Equal Education) 4. Zackie Achmat (Co-Director, Ndifuna Ukwazi) 5. Fatima Hassan (Co-Director, Ndifuna Ukwazi)Two additional Trustees will be appointed by December 2011.Current trustees are well-known social justice activists and have experience in forming, working with and building some of the leading non-governmental/not-for-profit organisations and social movements in SA.Background --------------Zackie Achmat and Fatima Hassan are Co-Directors.Ebrahim Hassen is the Strategic Coordinator as well as providing systems support to partner organisations.Fritz Jooste has been appointed as a researcher, and Kylie Manuel is the office assistant.Based in Cape Town, Ndifuna Ukwazi’s activities will be conducted on a ‘no-fee’ basis for the benefit of the public.The Trust will work in collaboration with, and in support of, a number of other social justice organisations in SA and elsewhere.Activities ----------The central purpose of Ndifuna Ukwazi is the building of a cadre of young leaders through systematic and sustained education and mentorship, which will be part of an institutionalised fellowship programme called the “NDIFUNA UKWAZI Fellowship Programme”.The goal is to turn fellows into more experienced and multi-skilled leaders through education and project work with close supervision and oversight. Education will include local and global politics, history and law.In this regard, a select group of Fellows primarily drawn from partner organisations will be trained. Ndifuna Ukwazi will coordinate the selection of Fellows through a rigorous nomination and interview process. Fellows will be eligible for a monthly stipend.A second key activity of Ndifuna Ukwazi will be to provide legal and research support for social justice organisations. In pursuit of strategic public interest litigation, we will endeavour to provide partner organisations with appropriate legal research and support to ensure that the rights in our Constitution, as well as international laws, are upheld.Research and analysis will also be conducted by Ndifuna Ukwazi with a focus on the intersection of socio-economic rights, Constitutional obligations and international human rights law. This will be done in the pursuit of improving the living conditions of poor and vulnerable people, as well as to achieve social justice and the safeguarding of human rights in SA and elsewhere. Our research support will also be used to strengthen advocacy campaigns and litigation efforts.Ndifuna Ukwazi will also promote awareness of, and engagement in, human rights issues by hosting public talks, seminars and lectures around relevant human rights issues. These will be led by Fellows and activist leaders as well as members of the judicial, research, legal, human rights, activist and academic community who collectively continue to contribute to our rich political history.Note: ===== Applications by self-funded Interns (local / foreign) are now open. To apply, please submit a detailed CV, a letter of recommendation, and a letter of motivation to Fritz Jooste at [email protected].