From the left and standing: Rutendo Nyaki, Zaid Kimmie, Hazel Tau, Sufiya Bray, Shirely Gunn, Lulama Madyaka, Nomarussia Bonase, Marguerite Holtzhausen, Tsholofelo Nakedi, Felicity Harriso, Haroon Gunn-Salie, Philani Mkhize, Front row: Nande Mbekela, Avuyile Bongco, Sesetu Holomisa, Cathy Ann Potgieter, Judy Seidman, Raaesa Pather.
From 21 to 23 October 2025, SACTJ held its biannual strategic planning retreat at the Grail Centre in Kleinmond. The purpose of the retreat was to review progress, assess the current transitional justice environment, and set the coalition’s strategic direction for the 2026–2027 period. Members reflected on SACTJ’s mission, organisational context and the evolving political landscape, and discussed the need for strengthened coordination, improved visibility, and clearer outcomes across all thematic areas.
Participants reviewed the strategic framework and noted the importance of adapting to shifts in the donor, government and civil society environment. Members highlighted that SACTJ must deepen its impact by moving from general awareness to measurable outcomes and stressed the urgency of diversifying the coalition’s funding base. The retreat also included a discussion and adoption of the draft Media and Communications Policy and Strategy.
The draft Theory of Change (ToC) was introduced and reviewed, with members agreeing that it must clearly reflect victim-centred engagement, measurable outcomes, and national and global dimensions of SACTJ’s work. The ToC will be finalised in both diagram and narrative form and will include indicators for monitoring progress.
Committee breakaway sessions on Day 2 focused on setting priorities and drafting two-year action plans. The Reparations Committee discussed DOJ&CD’s lack of urgency, the need for political-level engagement, the importance of documenting all interactions with the department, and the possibility of litigation should administrative avenues be exhausted. The Reparations Committee will also follow up on PAIA applications. The Education and Research Committee prioritised the 2026 Mary Burton Legacy Lecture, the transitional justice training programme, development of a resource hub on the website, and engagements with the Departments of Basic and Higher Education on reviewing the history curriculum.
The Media and Communications Committee confirmed the need for thematic campaigns, clarified communication roles within the coalition, and recognised the need for a two-year communications budget and Corporate Social Investment support. The Anti-Torture and Disappearances Committee emphasised linking anti-torture advocacy to reparations, psychosocial support and prevention, as well as regional engagement and an awareness campaign on 26 June marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The Justice and Accountability session included updates from the Foundation for Human Rights on 25 ongoing apartheid-era cases.
New membership and partnerships were reviewed. A financial overview was presented. While SACTJ has modest overheads, increasing demands require proactive fundraising. Members discussed SACTJ’s fundraising strategy aimed at guiding donor mapping, proposal development and engagement with funders that are aligned with SACTJ values.
Members identified several challenges, including political delays from the DOJ&CD, resource constraints across member organisations, the need to avoid duplication of work, and limited public engagement relative to SACTJ’s potential influence. Youth and victim participation, monitoring and evaluation, and organisational resilience were highlighted as priorities.
Members valued the retreat as an opportunity to consolidate plans, strengthen relationships and align the coalition’s work for the next two years.The retreat closed with agreement on a 13-month action plan from November 2025 to December 2026. The committees will expand programme activities to two years, to December 2027.
