LEAD Limpopo: SAPS

A Leadership and Conflict Management (LEAD) workshop for South African Police Services (SAPS) in Limpopo is currently being held in Polokwane, South Africa from 18 to 19 of March 2019. This 2-day LEAD training is part of part of the PEV-RSA national project, funded by the European Union. The PEV-RSA project (www.democracy-support.eu/southafrica) is 24 months (2018/20) and is implemented by the European Centre for Electoral Support in partnership with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The training began with remarks from Mr. Itumeleng, IEC Manager of Electoral Matters in Limpopo, who outlined the electoral calendar as well as the PEV-RSA project. Brigadier M.V. Mashila from SAPS also spoke about the police services commitment to the project, and urged participation in the training and the implementation of the knowledge gained to the police’s electoral duties.

The security forces are an often overlooked electoral stakeholder, and by increasing their capacity in conflict management and peaceful conflict resolution, the project can decrease electorally related violence across the province.

This is the 18th LEAD training nationally with trainings already occurring across South Africa. It should also be noted that trainings are taking place this week in Eastern Cape and Gauteng in preparation for the National and Provincial Elections on May 8, 2019. This training is part of the PEV RSA project’s capacity building component.

The curriculum on Leadership and Dialogue was crafted by ECES in partnership with Centre for Creative Leadership, CCL. CCL is based the US and delivers high-end executive education for world leaders. Such trainings are usually very costly and require far more time than what one usually can afford. The partnership between CCL and ECES emerged to make leadership training accessible and affordable for electoral stakeholders.

Leadership training blended with dialogue techniques has so far proven to be a winning concept. Leadership, both for the individual and organizational level, are essential components of electoral processes.

The LEAD workshop in Polokwane is meant to explore various ways how exchange between stakeholders of difference of opinion, beliefs or ideologies can be carried out almost conflict-free by making use of technical skills.

In sum then, this workshop in Polokwane is a forum whereby mediators and conflict prevention coordinators in Free State can further develop skills in leadership and dialogue and learn new skills and approaches on how to succeed with dialogue.

The workshop is being facilitated by Provincial Advisor Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, Election Conflcit Manager and Director of ZESN, Dr. Zefanias Matsimbe, Senior Lecturer at Eduardo Mondiane University and a senior expert at EISA, and Stef Snel, Early Warning Expert.