What is Dining for Democracy about?
This year, Prof. Thuli Madonsela celebrates her 60th birthday, and her wish is to utilize the celebration of this milestone as a catalyst to connect, collaborate and conceptualize the Deepening of Democracy in our country. In light of her wish, the Thuli Madonsela Foundation is partnering with OpenSeat, which is designed to create community in spaces and around tables across the country, to facilitate Dining for Democracy events, starting on Prof’s birthday, September 28th, which, notably is also the 28th Anniversary of South Africa’s democracy.
The introduction of this theme acts as a call to connect over meals and around tables across the country - as strangers, friends and like-minded citizens, to engage in intentional and meaningful conversation.
We encourage and challenge our fellow community members to host and attend Dining for Democracy events on OpenSeat, as occasions created for discussion, reflection and collaboration around the meaning of democracy, and how we, as citizens can, individually and collectively participate. We also hope to use this period as a time to acknowledge and celebrate those who are already actively contributing towards our communities' and country’s sense of democracy.
How do I get involved?
How to participate: Sign up to OpenSeat, and decide whether you would like to start by hosting, or attending an event.
Pick a theme
Decide on an event theme or topic based on what you think contributes to Deepening Democracy. Unsure of what to choose? Pick an SDG to help frame the conversation.
Choose a date
Choose an event date during the campaign period (28 Sep - 26 Oct).
Add some detail
Make sure your event title mentions your theme. In your event description, include an outline of how you plan to host your guests, structure the conversation, the meal and refreshments that will be provided, and a brief introduction to your theme or topic. Do you need assistance with a space to host your event? Contact Us.
Spread the word!
Create your event, and then share it! Make sure when sharing to tag @thumafoundation @openseatlife and then use #DeepeningDemocracy #28DoDD #FestivalOfIdeas as hashtags.
Pick an event
Browse through the campaign events on OpenSeat and find a theme or topic that resonates with you.
Request and share
Request a seat for yourself (and friends if you would like!) Once the host has accepted your request, share the meal you are attending and encourage your friends and community to participate in the campaign.
Get social!
Snap some pictures at your event and share on your social media. Make sure you tag @thumafoundation @openseatlife and use #DeepeningDemocracy #28DoDD #FestivalOfIdeas to spread the word.
What do we hope to achieve?
This collective effort has been created as a means of facilitating collaboration, via shared meals and conversations, between citizens across the country to co-create a patchwork of ideas to construct a blueprint for democracy - one that represents all, and leaves no one behind.
Videos, reports and letters from events will be collated by the organisers to publish a report on citizens’ sentiments on the meaning of democracy, and their ideas on the deepening of it. Certain individuals who are revealed to be pioneers of democracy, will receive special recognition by its organisers.
Terms & Conditions:
Please refer to the OpenSeat Terms & Conditions.
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