Pan-African Collective for Evidence

Communities’ everyday experiences offer valuable evidence about how local government is working and where change is needed. From access to water to the condition of roads, citizen-driven data can help bring these experiences into decisions about services, local priorities and accountability. This Civic Root documentary explores how community knowledge can inform local governance and create space for residents to help shape the places they call home. Watch the documentary: youtu.be/ZWJZ4UIiORQ With recognition to South African Local Government Association , the IEC (Electoral Commission of South Africa), the North West Provincial Legislature, and Rustenburg Local Municipality, Madibeng Local Municipality, JB Marks Local Municipality, Mahikeng Local Municipality and CITY OF MATLOSANA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY for their contributions to this work. #CitizenDrivenData #EvidenceUse #LocalGovernance #CivicRoot

Understanding how government works helps people recognise where their voices can influence decisions. Dickson Lehlohonolo Lesia reflects on how Civic Root Advocacy’s programme strengthened his understanding of democracy, the different levels of government and the ways citizens can raise concerns affecting their communities. He also highlights the challenges facing young people in rural communities, where limited connectivity and access to information can make participation more difficult. His experience underlines the importance of accessible civic education. Knowing what local government is responsible for helps citizens make informed choices about their representatives and understand what to expect from them. Hear Dixon’s experience as we explore what it takes to make public participation more accessible. #CivicRoot #LocalDemocracy #CivicEducation #PublicParticipation #LocalGovernmentElections #LDAInitiative

As the local government elections on 4 November approach, access to accurate electoral information helps citizens prepare to participate with confidence. Nthabiseng Mogapi, Regional Outreach Officer for the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Bojanala, reflects on voter registration efforts, young people’s participation and the role of civic education in helping citizens understand the electoral process. She also highlights the importance of addressing misinformation by seeking reliable information and reporting allegations through the appropriate channels. This is where evidence matters. Checking the source of a claim and whether there is credible information to support it can help prevent misinformation from shaping our understanding of elections. Pan-African Collective for Evidence and Civic Root Advocacy share her insights as a reminder to ask questions, verify information before sharing it and use official IEC channels for guidance ahead of election day. #CivicRoot #IEC #VoterEducation #LocalGovernmentElections #EvidenceInformedDecisionMaking #Elections2026

What we share through communications begins with the work itself: the projects, partnerships and conversations taking place across #PACE. Bringing these stories together gives us a chance to consider how people connect with the organisation and what matters to them. Over the past few months, developing the communications function has meant working closely with colleagues to share their work with greater purpose and consistency. Seeing people respond, engage and take an interest has been an encouraging part of that process. As we hear from the communications team, Mpho Magidi reflects on these early months and the collective effort behind the content you see. #5yearsofPACE #Communications #PACEAfrica #TeamReflections #EvidenceForImpact

The first few months of @PACE_evidence’s communications portfolio have involved thinking about how we work together, what we want to communicate and how to bring more consistency to it. Some of this is visible in the content we share. Much of it happens through conversations, planning and small adjustments that help us find a shared direction. Jiyaad Armien shares a reflection on this process as we take stock of what is coming together and where we still have room to grow. We are learning as we go, with each piece of work helping us understand what works for #PACE. #5yearsofPACE #Communications #OrganisationalLearning #TeamReflections #DigitalMedia #PACEAfrica

This time, the storytellers have a story to share! Our reflections turn to communications and the work of bringing PACE’s people, ideas and experiences into view. There is much to share about an organisation’s growth, including the experiences of those helping to tell its story. Lesedi Mabila, our communications intern, offers her perspective on being part of this journey. Her reflection gives a glimpse into a team that is learning, finding its rhythm and bringing fresh ideas to how PACE connects with others. It is also a reminder that professional growth and organisational growth often happen together, through opportunities to contribute, supportive colleagues and the confidence to try something new. #PACE #5yearsofPACE #Communications #Reflections

An anniversary gives us a reason to pause, even while the work continues. Five years of @PACE_evidence is a moment to enjoy what we have built and appreciate the learning, care and effort that have gone into it. Tanya Mdlalose joins our fifth-anniversary series with a reflection that brings us back to why this work matters: the possibility of evidence helping to improve people’s lives. Thank you for celebrating this milestone with us. These reflections have given us much to appreciate about PACE’s first five years and renewed our hopes for what lies ahead. The celebration continues, with more stories still to share. #EvidenceForImpact #PACETurns5 #5YearsOfPACE #Evidence #AfricalovesEvidence

Five years in, we are celebrating what it means to build an organisation rooted in Africa, with a shared belief in the role evidence can play in addressing the challenges our communities face. PACE’s anniversary is an opportunity to appreciate the space we have created for people to bring their ideas, experience and commitment to this work. There is much to value in being part of a team where learning happens together and where African knowledge and perspectives help shape the way forward. Nkululeko Tshabalala shares a reflection as we continue celebrating five years of PACE, recognising both the work we have built together and the sense of belonging that makes this journey meaningful. #PACETurns5 #5YearsOfPACE #Reflections #AfricalovesEvidence

What might the next five years hold for the Pan-African Collective for Evidence? Celebrating our fifth anniversary gives us a chance to look ahead, drawing on the experiences and lessons of the journey so far. As our work develops, our purpose continues to guide us: reducing poverty and inequality through the use of evidence. The years ahead offer opportunities to deepen partnerships, explore new approaches and keep learning alongside those we work with. Zafeer Ravat shares a reflection as part of our anniversary series, joining us in marking this milestone with pride in our progress and anticipation for PACE’s next chapter.

As we continue celebrating five years of PACE, we take a moment to recognise the people who have shaped this journey. Behind the milestone are years of shared learning, relationships built and a commitment to connecting evidence with efforts to reduce poverty and inequality. It is also an opportunity to appreciate the everyday work that makes progress possible: supporting one another, working through challenges and making space for new ideas. These experiences have helped shape both our organisation and the team we are today. Siziwe Ngcwabe joins our anniversary reflections as we celebrate how far we have come, the people who have been part of the journey and what we hope to build together in the years ahead. #PACETurns5 #5YearsOfPACE #PeopleandOperations #AfricaEvidence

Throughout this performance, one message remained at the heart of the story: Evidence synthesis changes lives. Evidence synthesis helps us move beyond assumptions by bringing together the best available evidence to inform better decisions. Whether it's strengthening early childhood education, preventing sexual violence in schools, protecting biodiversity or informing public health responses, evidence helps us understand what works, for whom and why. These examples remind us that evidence is more than knowledge. It is a tool for making informed decisions, using resources wisely and creating lasting impact for communities. As we continue working towards stronger evidence-informed decision-making #EIDM, let this be the takeaway: when evidence is understood, shared and used, it has the power to improve lives. This performance was written by Andile Madonsela and performed by Thanda choir Watch here: youtu.be/j1S0DV8HAdg?si=kACV… #EvidenceSynthesis #EvidenceForImpact #EvidenceInformedDecisionMaking #Policy #Education #Health #Environment #eBaseAfrica

Evidence synthesis sounds like a technical research term. But what if it's actually something you already do every day? When making an important decision, most of us compare information from different sources before deciding. Evidence synthesis follows the same principle, bringing together the best available evidence to help decision-makers understand what works, what doesn't and why. This creative performance from ESIC - The Cape Town Consensus explores the concept in a way that's both thought-provoking and accessible. Watch the full video below: youtu.be/j1S0DV8HAdg?si=kACV… #EvidenceSynthesis #EvidenceUse #Storytelling #ResearchToPolicy #ESIC

Evidence doesn't create impact simply because it exists. It creates impact when people can understand it, connect with it and use it. One of the greatest challenges in the evidence ecosystem is not the lack of research, but ensuring that research reaches the people who can act on it. Evidence-based storytelling helps bridge that gap by transforming complex evidence into stories that are engaging, relatable and memorable, without compromising the integrity of the evidence. Through storytelling, this performance demonstrates how evidence synthesis can be communicated in a way that resonates with audiences and inspires conversations about better decision-making. Story by Andile Madonsela. Watch story here: youtu.be/j1S0DV8HAdg?si=kACV… #EvidenceBasedStorytelling #EvidenceSynthesis #KnowledgeTranslation #EvidenceCommunication #ESIC

How do we solve the world's biggest challenges? Poverty. Inequality. Climate change. Health crises. Gender-based violence. These are complex issues with no single solution. But one thing is clear: better decisions start with better evidence. At Evidence Synthesis Infrastructure Collaborative #ESIC the Cape Town Consensus meeting, a unique theatrical performance reminded us that evidence doesn't have to be presented through reports and presentations alone. Through storytelling, music and dialogue, the performance explored how evidence synthesis can help us understand what works, what doesn't and where we should invest our efforts. We encourage you to discover how storytelling can make evidence more accessible, engaging and impactful. This performance was written by Andile Madonsela of the Pan-African Collective for Evidence #PACE. Catch the performance here: youtu.be/j1S0DV8HAdg?si=kACV… #EvidenceSynthesis #Storytelling #ESIC #EvidenceInformedDecisionMaking #KnowledgeBrokering

Some of the most powerful ideas are those we learn from one another. Knowledge exchange across the Global South continues to shape new approaches to evidence-informed decision-making #EIDM. For #PACE, one of those approaches was discovering the potential of evidence-based storytelling and exploring how it could make evidence more engaging and accessible. This performance brings that idea to life by using storytelling to explain evidence synthesis, showing that complex concepts don't always need complex explanations. Watch the performance here: youtu.be/j1S0DV8HAdg?si=kACV… #GlobalSouth #SouthtoSouthCollaboration #EvidenceBasedStorytelling #EvidenceSynthesis #KnowledgeExchange

How do we make evidence more accessible? Through communicating the evidence in a way that is accessible After learning about the power of evidence-based storytelling from Effective Basic Services (eBASE) in Cameroon, #PACE began exploring how storytelling could help communicate complex evidence concepts in more engaging and accessible ways. It is a reminder of the value of South-South collaboration, where organisations across the Global South share ideas, learn from one another and strengthen the evidence ecosystem together. Presented as part of the Evidence Synthesis Infrastructure Collaborative #ESIC - Cape Town Consensus meeting, this theatrical performance explores evidence synthesis through storytelling, music and dialogue, inviting audiences to experience how evidence synthesis changes lives. Concept and script by Andile Madonsela and performed by Thanda Choir. Watch the full performance:  youtu.be/j1S0DV8HAdg?si=VDrQ… #EvidenceBasedStorytelling #EvidenceSynthesis #SouthtoSouthcollaboration #GlobalSouth #ESIC

Strengthening accountability through evidence Preventing femicide requires more than understanding the problem, it requires systems that learn, adapt, and act. Today, Harsha Dayal explores why South Africa's first Femicide Review Pilot is a significant milestone for Pillar 6 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) and the country's broader commitment to evidence-informed decision-making #EIDM. By systematically reviewing every femicide, we can identify patterns, uncover missed opportunities for intervention, and generate evidence that strengthens accountability across government and society. These insights have the potential to shape more effective policies, improve coordination across sectors, and ensure that prevention efforts are informed by what the evidence tells us. This work has been made possible through the collective commitment of PACE, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), The Presidency, the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), and the Foundation for Human Rights in advancing the Femicide Review Pilot. #FemicideReviewPilotSA #EveryLifeCounts #RememberHerStory #EvidenceForPrevention #EndGBVF #WomensMonth2026 #NSPonGBVF #EvidenceInAction #PACE #BuildingSystemsThatSaveLives