Southern Africa: Misa Regional Chairperson’s Opening Remarks At the 2024 Areas of Cohesion

We must problem sturdy pushback methods and responses in detect of the all of sudden shrinking civic dwelling we now have witnessed over the previous few years. Stringent NGO felony pointers had been enacted all over the problem, which require our collective consideration and strategic responses to raze the shrinking and erosion of democratic civic dwelling.

Dear Colleagues

Kindly allow me to kickstart my speech by utilizing on the protocols noticed from the day before at the present time’s summit. As a journalist educator, I found the day before at the present time’s session informative and fascinating. I will unquestionably be one of the most fervent contributors in similar workouts in the future.

That because it is a long way most likely, at the present time, we shift our center of attention to the Areas of Cohesion, an organic grouping of like-minded organisations.

This 365 days’s assembly is key as a consequence of we must transfer beyond organising this plucky platform by expanding and consolidating what we now have constructed in the closing three years.

I’m particularly drawn to the want for tangible outputs that will recordsdata us in the next 365 days and beyond.

With out pre-empting the following discussions, let me speed to exclaim the time for fiddling while Rome burns has ended. In announcing this, I’m acutely conscious of the all of sudden shrinking civic dwelling.

We must problem sturdy pushback methods and responses in detect of the all of sudden shrinking civic dwelling we now have witnessed over the previous few years. Stringent NGO felony pointers had been enacted all over the problem, which require our collective consideration and strategic responses to raze the shrinking and erosion of democratic civic dwelling.

Another enviornment that was touched the day before at the present time relates to Man made Intelligence (AI). AI has worthy probably advantages for journalism despite the attendant dangers.

Thus, at the present time’s discussions can also just calm also center of attention on how AI has the probably to be mature for surveillance, invasion of privacy, and amplifying misinformation and disinformation.

Ladies folk and Gents, we now have constructed a firm basis for the SOS platform. It is now time for all hands on deck to lay the bricks for the wall and, finally, the roof.

There is a consensus that coalitions are the system to transfer in advocacy. The time is nigh for us to nurture and grow the SOS correct into a plucky outfit.

Allow me to cite what I mentioned at the inaugural SoS assembly as we solid our eyes beyond the horizons and organise collectively in the direction of a better society of Sothern Africa:

“…we believe we have the minds that are capable of ensuring that the processes and engagements of the Space of Solidarity will provide leadership and mobilise the people of Southern Africa in response to the threats on the expression and furtherance of the strategic objectives of peoples of the region that express freely!”

As I gaze all over the room, I reaffirm this assertion!

Ladies folk and Gents, without further ado, allow me to want you fruitful discussions.

Thank You.

Golden Maunganidze

Chairperson MISA Regional