Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Civil Society Forum (CSF) elections, following a pre-election workshop held on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 at the Chief Mogale Community Hall in Kagiso. Attended by representatives from various civil society sectors including Social Development and Health MMC Wonderful Segolodi, the workshop was led by Mogale City Executive Mayor Lucky Sele, who also serves as CSF Chairperson.
The workshop provided a crucial space to unpack the election process, define sector representatives’ roles and prepare members with key information before the elections. These will take place over two days at the end of May 2025.
CSF plays a vital role within the Provincial AIDS Councils, advising the Provincial Legislature on policies and programmes addressing HIV, TB, and STIs. By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, it ensures that the response to these health challenges is inclusive, informed by community realities, and shaped by the voices of those most affected. This participatory approach strengthens the development of Provincial Implementation Plans, which are aligned with the National Strategic Plan for 2023–2028.
At its core, the CSF is committed to elevating civil society’s influence in policy-making platforms such as the Local AIDS Council (LAC) and its subcommittees. It acts as both an advocacy mechanism and a governance partner, promoting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in the public health agenda. Additionally, it champions community-led policy proposals, monitors implementation at local and district levels, and works to ensure that interventions address the specific needs of priority populations and sub-districts. Ultimately, it reinforces the multisectoral response and fosters a culture of shared responsibility among government, the private sector, and civil society.
This marks the second time that Mogale City LAC is conducting CSF elections, the first being in 2021. These pioneering efforts set a benchmark for other Metros and Districts, establishing a model of structured, inclusive civil society engagement.
The workshop served as a key milestone—strengthening civil society’s role in governance, fostering dialogue, clarifying processes, and reinforcing a shared commitment to shaping the city’s health and development agenda.