Catholic women in Johannesburg Archdiocese have been encouraged to see participation in public life as part of their responsibility towards the common good, as South prepares for local government elections on 4 November 2026.

The call came during the ‘Catholic women’s Civic Engagement Indaba’ held on Saturday, 15 August, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Johannesburg Archdiocese. The initiative was organised by the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) in partnership with CitzensZA, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), and the European Union Technical Assistance Facility (EU TAF).

Held on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the gathering brought together Catholic women for prayers, voter education and conversations on leadership, citizenship and the role of faith communities in strengthening society.

The Common Good

In his opening remarks, the SACBC Secretary General placed the discussion within the broader Christian call to serve others. “Living a life is not about serving my own interests. It is about serving the community’s interest, the common good,” said Fr Hugh O’Connor.

He warned against an increasingly individualistic culture in which people can become focused primarily on their own needs and lose sight of their responsibility to build community. Fr O’Connor further described voting as a deeply political and civic act through which citizens affirm that their voice matters and make a choice in favour of what they believe will serve their communities.

“If I vote, I have the right to hold them accountable,” said Fr O’Connor referring to elected representatives.

Voter Education and the Role of Women

During the Catholic Women’s civic Engagement Indaba, the IEC led a session on the functioning of local government and the responsibilities of municipalities, as well as informed decision-making, misinformation and what voters can expect on election day. The 15 August session formed part of efforts to strengthen civic education within faith communities and encourage non-partisan participation in the elections.

In an interview with the SACBC Communication Office, Sr Nkele Mochela, from the Congregation of the Companions of St Angela said women religious have an important role to play because of their presence among local communities.

“As women religious, we have the authority, we even have the energy and the strength to make changes,” said Sr Mochela.

Sr Mochela went on to highlight the potential of women religious to share civic information within communities and to encourage young people to become more engaged in issues affecting society.

Reaching Rural Communities

The discussions also drew attention to the need for civic education to reach communities outside major urban cities.

Cecilia Moloantoa from Bryanston Catholic Church recalled the Church’s involvement in voter education in the years surrounding South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, when churches helped facilitate access to rural communities. She urged renewed attention to people living in rural areas, saying they can often lack platforms through which to raise concerns about issues affecting their communities.

From Conversation to Action

The women also participated in facilitated discussions on the power of women’s voices, informed democratic participation and practical steps that parishes could take before the elections in November 2026.

At the conclusion of the gathering, participants were encouraged to return to their parishes as ambassadors for active citizenship, informed democratic participation and service.