Building Peoples Power For Eco-Social and Economic Justice | Action Aid South Africa Launches its 6th CSP
Lurnay Tshabalala-Mavuso | Senior Reporter | March,12 2026
On March 05, ActionAid South Africa held its launch for its 6th CSP (Country Strategic Plan) at Constitution Hill, Women's Gaol in Braamfontein Johannesburg. As quoted, the ActionAid South Africa strategic plan for 2026 - 2029 sets a bold agenda for transformative change. Primarily through collective action and advocacy, ActionAid South Africa will continue to fight for a more just and equitable South Africa. ActionAid South Africa is also committed to social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication. This three-year strategic plan outlines key priorities, objectives, and actions to drive systematic change and empower marginalised communities in South Africa. This strategic plan sets a bold agenda for transformative change.
At the event guests were welcomed by Mr Gino Govender who is ActionAid International Board Deputy Chairperson, who gave the room a bit of laughter and Ms Nontsikelelo Khunju ActionAid South Africa Coordinator and Host of the Civil Society Podcast, who led the programme with so much energy as guests were serenaded by a live band and spoken word poetry by South African Media Practitioner and Poet, Noluthando Buthelezi. Khunju then led a panel discussion with young women under the motion - Youth At The Center of Climate Justice. The panel participants were, Zandile Mabaso from the Young Urban Women's Movement East Rand, Lerato Maloka from Young Urban Women's Movement Mamelodi and Nqobile Shezi from the Climate Justice Coalition. The panel had a talk about climate-affected communities, youth and shift power toward women. After an insightful discussion, there was a keynote address by ActionAid International General-Secretariat, Ms Tinebab Berhane,
"Solidarity is a symbol of South Africa, in the struggle of Apartheid without global solidarity we could have not defeated apartheid and racism. So I call upon for that solidarity again in fighting against inequality and injustice not just in South Africa, but in the world at large, because the GenZ are the ones who are supposed to lead the change, and I hope we see more of that regardless of the political system, the economy's situation and everything else because democracy is the answer for our injustices.", said Berhane.
ON THE COUNTRY STRATEGIC PLAN
The strategic plan is called - Building Peoples Power for Eco-Social and Economic Justice. ActionAid South Africa Country Programme Director, Mr Sakhile Zungu gave a presentation of the new country strategic plan (CSP). Zungu gave insight in as to what the strategic plan hopes to achieve and what it is about and what it seeks to address.
"The CSP is grounded on Human Rights and Intersectional Feminist approach seeking to shift power to women, youth and marginalized communities through collective action and movement building.", said Zungu. The CSP is grounded on four strategic pillars with which Zungu said that they have been consulted with partners and peers of Action Aid and these pillars highlight the following ; Advancing Climate Justice and Resilience, Promotion of Women's Rights and Gender Equality, Championing Youth Leadership and Economic Empowerment and Strengthening Human Rights and Democratic Governance.
Among many other things, the Country Strategic Plan aims to subscribe at the these principles to mention a few;
1. Apply a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA), intersectional feminist approach to all interventions.
2. A decentralized, community-led approach where the communities we work with define priorities and drive collective action.
3. Adopting a partnership model, where there is strong collaboration with like-minded CSOs, academics, media, policymakers, individual champions, businesses (through CSI, high-net worth individuals and philanthropists for local fundraising).
In support of the newly launched Country Strategic Plan, Professor William Gumede now a former Chairperson of ActionAid South Africa highlighted the importance of knowledge, solidarity and getting new ideas and seeing more of new energy particularly the youth. Encouraging the audience that we need more youth-led organizations in South Africa. Gumede was also celebrated by ActionAid Board Members and the room at large as it was his farewell as Chair of ActionAid South Africa.
In its closing remarks of the new Country Strategic Plan, ActionAid South Africa expressed its objective to, build inclusive, rights-based movements and deepen solidarity across sectors so that communities are equipped to advocate for policies that dismantle systematic inequality and promote eco-social justice.
As a country we have a long way to go in as far as addressing gender equality, social justice, and human rights is concerned. Organizations like ActionAid South Africa keep the spark going and inspires rising change-makers to continue being hopeful and to regain strength in fighting against inequality in South Africa and the world at large. Many may see rebels but there will never be change without a fight and ActionAid South Africa truly signifies that. We are also looking forward to seeing what the strategic plan will do starting from this year until 2029. As Ms Tinebab Berhane said, Aluta Continua!!!