Building on our previous seminar series which offered scholars, researchers and activists a space to share their ongoing work, either by discussing work in progress or presenting upcoming and new publications on the City of Johannesburg, the next series turns the focus to the work and experiences of civil society organisations. As Johannesburg continues to face intersecting crises of governance, service delivery and urban inequality, civil society organisations play a pivotal role in keeping local government accountable – and in promoting innovative ways to respond to urban crisis.

In 2026, civil society organisations will lead the conversation, presenting their experiences, strategies and challenges in navigating urban crisis in Johannesburg. This is particularly important as we move towards local government elections towards the end of the year.