Purpose of the Imbizo

The primary purpose of the Imbizo is to provide a structured platform for engagement between the Commission, affected stakeholders and other stakeholders who might provide assistance and solutions. Through this engagement, the Commission seeks to facilitate dialogue, gather information, and coordinate an appropriate response to the crisis.
The Imbizo will enable affected individuals and communities to share their lived experiences directly, facilitate engagement with organisations working on the ground, and assist the Commission in gathering first-hand information to inform its oversight, investigative, and advocacy functions. It will also provide an opportunity to identify urgent humanitarian needs, including those of displaced persons, and to promote strategies to prevent further violence and restore social cohesion.

Key discussion areas

Discussions at the Imbizo will focus on a range of critical issues, including incidents of violence and alleged human rights violations, the displacement of individuals and the role of state institutions in responding to the situation.

The Imbizo will also consider the impact of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, the nature and extent of ongoing community and civil society interventions, and practical
strategies to prevent escalation. Importantly, the engagement will seek to develop informed recommendations for immediate and longer-term interventions to address the crisis.

Participation

The Commission invites broad participation from all stakeholders, including affected community members, civil society organisations, human rights defenders, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, humanitarian actors, labour organisations, business forums, academic institutions, media representatives, and representatives of vulnerable groups.
The Imbizo is intended to be inclusive and participatory, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and that the response to the situation is informed by those directly affected.

The Imbizo will be held as follows:
• Date: Monday, 25 May 2026
• Time: 11:30 – 14:00
• Venue: MS Teams
Link: Please confirm attendance by registering here.

Expected Outcomes

The Imbizo is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
• produce a consolidated and informed understanding of the situation on the ground, drawing on input from affected communities and stakeholders
• generate practical recommendations and action points to guide the Commission’s response
• strengthen collaboration between the Commission, civil society, and other stakeholders, and identify priority areas for humanitarian intervention
• establish a framework for continued engagement and monitoring.

The Commission affirms its commitment to ensuring that all persons within the Republic are treated with dignity and that their fundamental rights are upheld, regardless of nationality or status.

The Commission calls upon all stakeholders to participate in this important engagement.

ENDS
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION