BRIDGES

PROGRAMME

Linking Civil Society with Members of Parliament – to Strengthen Good Governance.

Bridges Programme is a partnership between Africa Centre and The Green Connection working to strengthen public participation in South Africa’s democracy. The programme connects communities, civil society, and Parliament to support practical, people-centered solutions to national challenges. Through informed engagement, the programme helps strengthen parliamentary oversight and accountability. Along with supporting Members of Parliament (MPs) to better understand community priorities, while enabling citizens and civil society organizations to contribute meaningfully to democratic processes. By building bridges between Parliament and the public, the programme promotes more open, inclusive and responsive governance.

In 2024, the Bridges programme was launched with the goal of strengthening the relationship between civil society and South Africa’s newly constituted 7th Parliament. The programme was introduced at a stakeholder convening in March, bringing together a broad range of organisations including the Parliamentary Monitoring Group, My Vote Counts, Equal Education, the Auditor-General of South Africa, Rise Mzansi, OpenUp, SAFCEI, and Members of Parliament, among others. Two further workshops followed, one in May webinar focused on using the national budget as a parliamentary oversight mechanism, and another in October information sharing session that prepared communities to engage with the Budget Review and Recommendations Reports and the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. Together, these engagements began building the civic literacy and cross-sector networks needed to hold the executive to account and bridge the gap between communities and parliament.

Bridges programme deepened its reach in 2025 through a series of workshops and community engagements that collectively drew over 100 people from civil society, community-based organizations, and parliamentary stakeholders. A workshop in May unpacked the 2025 budget through a needs-based and people-centered lens. The workshop also incorporated discussions on environmental justice and departmental budget performance. In June, the Bridges programme and Koeksister programme conducted a joint oversight across West Coast and Northern Cape communities, including St. Helena Bay, Springbok, Port Nolloth, and Hondeklip Bay. This initiative aimed to tap into community members needs, challenges, and opportunities, while building meaningful collaborations that will drive sustainable change within communities. Further workshops addressed South Africa’s climate change framework and its alignment with global obligations. The year closed with a strategic year-end webinar attended by community members and stakeholders, reflecting on progress and challenges since the programme’s inception. These engagements reinforced Bridges’ commitment to informed, inclusive public participation in governance.

In May 2026, Bridges convened a workshop bringing in people from community-based organizations across Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape. Some of the participants were part of the organisation’s advanced legacy programme which aims to empower youth. The workshop centered around sharing information about environmental governance, climate action, and meaningful public participation, with sessions exploring Environmental Impact Assessments and the Climate Change Act. A guided tour of Parliament offered participants a grounded understanding of policymaking processes and reinforced the importance of civic engagement in shaping policy outcomes. Participants left with action plans to identify climate risks in their communities, and track commitments made by relevant stakeholders. The Green Connection and partners will provide follow-up support by reviewing progress with participants, discussing challenges, and assisting with continued advocacy, accountability, and public participation efforts.

Community Voices

Programme Team Members

Port Nolloth (Environmental Traits): “Public feedback should be the centre of decision-making, not just a whisper in an empty room”.
Aukatowa Fisheries Co-op (Port Nolloth): “Awareness is the first step to making changes. Let’s come together to educate our communities and promote better governance”.
Sal-Diaz Co-op (Saldanha): “Our community’s strength comes from our diversity and active involvement. Let’s make sure our voices are heard”.
Manas Co-op (Dooring Bay): “Change begins at the grassroots level. Let’s stand up, speak out, and shape the future we want to see”.

Christopher Scholtz | The Green Connection | Parliamentary Officer

Christopher Scholtz who has a decade of in-depth knowledge of the institution of parliament. He has worked on analysing policy documents and legislation, covering parliamentary monitoring and participation.

Bathandwa Xhalile | The Green Connection |Bridges Co-ordinator

Bathandwa is the Bridges Programme Coordinator, strengthening civic engagement with Parliament and promoting equitable participation in oversight processes.

Ralph Freese | Africa Centre

Ralph Freese who facilitates policy interventions in a range of development spaces.

Wayne Morris | Africa Centre

Wayne Morris, who worked in the Constitutional Assembly, formulating our constitution, focusing on outreach to provincial, traditional and local leadership.

Lisa Makaula | The Green Connection | Advocacy & Programmes Lead

Lisa Makaula has worked within the ecojustice space, from a media and advocacy perspective. She prides herself in working towards good governance and sustainable development.

With your partnership, the Bridges Programme can continue building pathways between communities, civil society, and Parliament, transforming public participation into meaningful action, strengthening democratic accountability, and creating a more open, inclusive, and participatory South Africa.