2025 Seminar Series in Honour of Batandwa Ndondo and Matthew Goniwe of The Cradock 4

The 2025 Seminar Series on the Transformation of Governance in the Sakhisizwe Municipal Area culminated on 24 September with a powerful commemoration of Batandwa Ndondo and Matthew Goniwe of The Cradock 4, political activists whose lives and work continue to inspire community-driven approaches to justice and governance in Cala and beyond.

Hosted by the CALUSA, Sakhisizwe Information & Research Centre (SIRC) and the Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE) the series brought together local leaders, researchers, civil society organizations and youth to reflect on the legacies of Batandwa Ndondo and Matthew Goniwe, and its relevance to current governance challenges. Discussions highlighted the urgent need to rebuild participatory and accountable local institutions rooted in the values of human rights, justice and collective responsibility.

Over several sessions, participants examined how communities can play a more active role in shaping governance and service delivery. Drawing on historical experiences such as Ndondo’s work with the Health Care Trust and the Manzimahle spring protection project, the seminars reminded participants of the power of local initiative and solidarity.

The final session, held at the CALUSA Resource Centre, concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing people-centred governance and creating platforms for inclusive dialogue. SIRC Coordinator Batandwa Ntsebeza noted that the seminar reaffirmed the principle that meaningful transformation must begin with the people themselves.

“Batandwa Ndondo’s vision remains as urgent today as it was in 1985,” Ntsebeza reflected. “He believed that development without participation is not development at all. This seminar series helped us reconnect with that spirit and imagine new pathways for community empowerment.”

The seminar series forms part of SIRC’s ongoing programme to document, reflect on, and extend the legacies of local activism that have shaped the Sakhisizwe region. The outcomes will inform future initiatives, including youth-focused governance dialogues and the upcoming Water Crisis Awareness Campaign, which continues the conversation on sustainable development and people’s power in action.