Challenges Facing Civil Society in eSwatini

In this segment, Ashley Green-Thompson of ACT Ubumbano moderates the conversation with Lomcebo Dlamini, Gender Specialist, and Human Rights Defender, and Melusi Matsenjwa, Advocate about the recent protests and government response in eSwatini. As civil society leaders working in eSwatini, they discuss the challenges facing social justice organizations and highlight the potential impact of attention from the international community. Following their conversation, Niamani Mutima, AGAG Executive Director, moderates questions from the audience and concludes by asking how funders can support efforts for change. This conversation took place on July 29, 2021.

About our Guests

Lomcebo Dlamini – Gender Specialist and Human Rights Defender

Lomcebo is a human rights and gender equality activist with a legal background and experience advocating at community, national and international levels for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized.

Ashley Green-Thompson – Coordinator, ACT Ubumbano

Ashley works for ACT Ubumbano, a solidarity support organization that works with social justice and faith-based organizations in Southern Africa and Europe to advance community agency and amplify the voice of community struggles against injustice.

Melusi Matsenjwa - Advocate

Melusi is a lawyer who has worked in the civil society space in Eswatini for over 15 years, and is a seasoned facilitator in human rights and constitutional law