12/10/2026
On 7 October 2026, the Stellenbosch University Law Clinic, together with Black Sash and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, hosted a one-day training session for a diverse group of stakeholders.
The training focused on key constitutional and social justice issues, including the Bill of Rights, access to basic services, the role and responsibilities of local government, and the important connection between service delivery failures and gender-based violence (GBV).
Amber Mignon Jamo Matheus and Odwa Nweba facilitated a session on the Bill of Rights, exploring the rights and protections contained in the Constitution and reflecting on what these rights mean in the everyday lives of people and communities.
A key theme emerging from the discussion was that access to basic services is about far more than infrastructure and administration. Access to water, sanitation, housing, healthcare and safe public spaces is closely linked to dignity, equality, safety and the realisation of constitutional rights. Where these essential services are inadequate or inaccessible, existing vulnerabilities and inequalities may be exacerbated, increasing the risk of gender-based violence.
The training created a valuable platform for learning, discussion and collaboration, highlighting how a rights-based approach can strengthen efforts to address both service delivery challenges and GBV in our communities.
