The Alterernative Information Development Centre (AIDC) is offering four Communication Activists Trainings designed to strengthen and support the ability of organizations to communicate strategic messages, work with the media to ensure greater coverage of their campaigns, struggles and programmes, and to build strategic networks between community-orientated organizations and the media. 

Four Trainings on different Themes

Four separate Communication Activist Trainings will be offered to activists from organizations working on the following critical issues: 

• Mass unemployment and the struggle for decent work: Organizations working to address the massive employment and the significant casualisation of the work force resulting from intensified global competition and job-less growth in the period of the financialisation of the South African economy and neoliberal policy shifts.

• Health: Organizations working to address the huge disparity between private and public health and the collapse of the public health system in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic which has had a major impact on women as caregivers and as the most vulnerable sector of society in relation to the burden of disease. 

• Energy & Climate Change: Organizations working for climate justice in the light of rising temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gasses widespread changes to the earth’s eco-systems and focusing on South Africa’s dependence on fossil fuels, unjust electricity pricing, and the failure to develop sources of renewable energy.

• Food sovereignty and food security:  Organisations working to address the global food crisis and widespread malnourishment and hunger impacting on children and women in particular brought on by rapid food inflation, unjust trade policies, failure by government to drive a programme of land and agrarian reform as well as the failure to develop a coherent rural development strategy. 

What will the training cover?  

The workshops will train participants to communicate and work with the media in developing messages and stories which place people and their struggles, at the centre of media stories. The workshop will enable participants to:

• Deepen their understanding of their thematic issue;

• Develop a communication campaign strategy;

• Understand the South African media landscape;

• Develop messages for impact;

• Develop effective communication material (pamphlets, posters, etc);

• Develop press statements and news stories;

• Develop relationships with the commercial, public, and community media.

Training Design

The training is designed as an experiential learning integrating technical communication skills with analytical skills. Participants will be expected to participate in all workshop sessions and undertake communication assignments within their organizations. 

The Workshop comprises the following:

• A one day conference to engage leading thinkers in framing the respective theme, deepening and consolidating participants understanding of their respective fields;

• Two intensive 4-day workshop blocks enhancing communication and analytical skills;

• A period of structured coaching and mentoring to support workshop related tasks. The mentoring will take place between the workshops, and may include face-to-face sessions, telephonic and email support. 

Who should attend?

To facilitate effective learning the number of places in the training are limited. The training is open to:

• Civil Society activists: Social movement, union, church, and NGO activists who engage in organizing, advocacy, fieldwork, research, or media/communication work around the identified themes.

• Media workers: Journalists, current affairs and chat show hosts & producers, news editors & reporters.

Workshop logistics and expenses

The workshops will take place in Cape Town. The registration fee for the training is R2000.00 – this includes travel, catering, accommodation and workshop materials. Subsidies and full scholarships are available. 

Apply to participate

If you are interested in participating send a brief motivation letter from your organization to Thembeka Majali or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Your letter should indicate if you are unable to pay the full registration fee. For more information call 021 447 2525.

Complete and return the application form here