The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has partnered with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the African Cybersmart Network to launch CyberCivil Southern Africa, a cybersecurity capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the digital resilience of civil society and media professionals in the region.
The programme was officially launched in Johannesburg, South Africa recently, where 14 civil society activists and journalists participated in a training workshop on cybersecurity fundamentals. Participants were equipped with essential skills to develop and implement robust cybersecurity strategies to protect themselves and their organisations from cyber threats.
The CyberCivil Southern Africa initiative is being delivered under the umbrella of the UK Government’s wider Africa Cyber Programme. This programme is the UK’s principal vehicle to support progress towards our shared ambition of a more resilient and secure cyberspace, through collaboration with partners across the continent.
Speaking at the workshop, Adam Smith, UK Cyber Lead for Southern Africa, highlighted the increasing cyber threats facing CSO activists and journalists advocating for democracy, gender equality, and anti-corruption efforts. He noted that as civil society organisations (CSOs) increasingly rely on digital platforms to advance their causes, they are also exposed to heightened risks such as hacking, data breaches, online surveillance, and targeted harassment. Many organisations, particularly those involved in sensitive advocacy work, often lack the resources and expertise to safeguard themselves against these threats.
“CyberCivil Southern Africa aims to bridge this gap by equipping CSOs with the skills, tools, and strategies necessary to secure their digital infrastructure, safeguard sensitive information, and mitigate cyber risks effectively,” Smith stated.
David Moepeng, Programme Coordinator for CyberCivil Southern Africa, announced that the initiative will provide specialised training and mentorship over five months, tailored to high-risk civil society groups. These include journalists, human rights defenders, democracy activists, women’s rights advocates, and LGBTQI activists.
Activists and journalists from Seven Southern African countries: Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are participating in the CyberCivil Southern Africa programme. Representing Botswana in the CyberCivil Southern Africa programme is the Botswana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations and the Bpotswana Centre for the Disabled.
