Participating in the Violence Prevention Forum

The report examines how the Violence Prevention Forum (VPF) influences government officials in South Africa, finding that it enhances intersectoral collaboration and provides a critical 'thinking space' for personal and professional reflection. While some officials find the emotionally demanding and non-traditional methods challenging, many have adopted VPF's inclusive practices and soft skills within their own departments, such as the Department of Basic Education and the Western Cape Government, to improve policy work and internal culture.

• The VPF has improved collaboration between government departments and strengthened their relationships with researchers and non-governmental organisations, allowing for the development of coordinated violence prevention initiatives.
• The forum provides a 'thinking space' that allows government officials to reflect on their work and personal traumas, which helps them engage more productively and healthily in their professional environments.
• Participation in the VPF has led to tangible changes in government operations, including the co-design of a monitoring tool in the Department of Basic Education that integrates sports, enrichment, gender-based violence, and social cohesion.
• Government officials have transferred soft skills learned from the VPF and its facilitation course—such as active listening and conflict negotiation—to their own departments to manage difficult conversations and reduce power hierarchies.
• The VPF's non-traditional and emotionally demanding methods are not universally effective; some officials experienced discomfort with mindfulness exercises or felt the focus on personal emotions distracted from the core problem of violence.
• The forum helps officials recognize and grapple with toxic or 'cold' work cultures within the public service, encouraging them to model an 'ethic of care' and inclusivity within their spheres of influence.
• The VPF has influenced provincial policy in the Western Cape, specifically contributing to the development of strategies that place evidence-based violence prevention at the center of the safety policy response.

APA

Mazibuko, A. (2024). Participating in the Violence Prevention Forum. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1716449789814-2024-05-23-SAR-59.pdf

Chicago

Mazibuko, Ayanda. Participating in the Violence Prevention Forum. Institute for Security Studies, 2024. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1716449789814-2024-05-23-SAR-59.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{mazibuko2024participating, author = {Mazibuko, Ayanda}, title = {{Participating in the Violence Prevention Forum}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2024}, month = may, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1716449789814-2024-05-23-SAR-59.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }