Black History Month is an annual moment of reflection — a time to remember the path travelled and to draw inspiration for the road ahead.

For my family, Black History Month has always carried a deep sense of remembrance. It is a time to honour the sacrifices made by relatives and loved ones before and during the U.S. civil rights movement, including through organisations such as the Urban League in Detroit. At the same time, it holds equally profound meaning because of the sacrifices made also by loved ones and family during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, through the vehicles such as the African National Congress and it's Umkhonto we Sizwe.

As a dual citizen with family roots in both South Africa and the United States, I am continually struck by the parallels between these histories. Though shaped by different contexts, both struggles reflect the same enduring pursuit of dignity, equality, and justice in the face of systemic oppression.

Black History Month offers a rare opportunity to view these stories side by side. In doing so, it reinforces a powerful truth: progress is possible, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. The histories of both countries demonstrate that sustained action, collective sacrifice, and resilience can bend the arc of history toward justice. My own life — made possible by these struggles — stands as a testament to that reality.

At a time when political challenges may feel daunting, these lessons matter more than ever. As February unfolds, Black History Month should serve not only as a moment of remembrance, but as a call to recommit to engagement rather than resignation. Our shared history reminds us that change has never come from inaction — and it never will.

Thabo Kornegay - DASA Vice Chair 

NOTICE: DASA 2026 AGM 

Further info will follow and you can RSVP HERE

ELECTORAL WINS! LET'S KEEP IT GOING

✅Special Elections for MN State House on Jan 27 saw big wins for Democrats — Shelley Buck won district 47A uncontested, and Meg Luger-Nikolai won 67A with a margin of victory of more than 95% – an astonishing +27 point shift compared to 2024.

These victories maintain the 50/50 partisan split in the MN State House — Democrats have a razor-thin +1 majority in the MN State Senate. Gov. Tim Walz and MN Democrats govern on a knife’s edge in MN — but MN, like many other states, has critical Federal, governor and state legislative races this year that their voters abroad can help vote and deliver wins for Democrats. Get everything you need to vote from abroad at www.VoteFromAbroad.org

✅Special Elections News in TX! Democrat Taylor Rehmet won the Texas SD9 Special Election defeating the Trump-endorsed Republican. This was a +17 Trump District in 2024 and had been Represented by a Republican since 1991. Democrat Christian Menefee won the Special Federal Election in Congressional District TX-18, narrowing the GOP majority now just 218-214!

VOTE TO WIN IN 2026!

SPECIAL FEDERAL ELECTIONS UNDER WAY:  

✅Special Election in Congressional District New Jersey 11 (Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties) to fill Mikie Sherrill’s seat now that she is Governor; General Election is April 16.

✅Special Election in Congressional District Georgia 14 (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, Whitfield, and portions of Cobb Counties) to fill GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat will be held March 10. A Special Runoff Election, if needed, will be held on April 7

PRIMARIES ARE UNDERWAY! 

INTERNATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE

Are you ready to vote from South Africa? Request your 2026 ballots now!
Go to www.votefromabroad.org and check it off your list ✅

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (DNC)
 TAKING VOTER REGISTRATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Introducing When We Count the DNC’s voter registration initiative to close voter registration gaps by meeting young people where they live, work, and gather.

While 2025 proved that momentum is on our side, between 2020 and 2024, Democrats lost ground in voter registration nationwide, including a net loss of more than 2.1 million registered Democrats. In 2024, Republicans registered an outright majority of new voters under 45 who chose a major party — a reversal from just a few cycles ago.

Democrats are not ignoring this reality. We are taking responsibility for fixing it. That’s why the Democratic National Committee is taking on the growing voter registration gap head-on.

READ MORE & SHARE with family and friends in the US especially younger voters interested in the fellowship 

TAKE A LOOK at Organizing to Win in 2026 - An Update from the DNC's Distributed Organizing Director 

And to keep up with developments at the DNC sign up for their Blueprint newsletter. 

RESISTANCE 

First, a reminder to pause and think for a minute about what we are resisting and what we are fighting FOR! We can't get there alone, we can only get there together. Communities in Minnesota, Maine and across the country are finding each other, joining hands and finding their collective strength. This moment is a reminder, an opportunity for all of us to look and truly see each other's humanity, that we are connected, and that our vision for the country must include true appreciation, freedom and justice for all. We can't wait until this is over, we must link arms and build toward that vision now. 

As john powell - Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley recently wrote: 

"This moment invites us to widen, rather than contract, our circle of human concern. To resist fear-based narratives. To remember that belonging is not something we extend only when it is convenient. It is now more than ever we must embrace the belonging of all." READ the full article 

And - Here's a little beauty shining through from Minneapolis. Thanks to KL for sharing this substack.  

Save the Date - the next No Kings, No Tyrants mass mobilisation is planned for 28 March.

Do you have creative ideas for our participation from South Africa that day?
Let us know at [email protected] 

Share the No Kings info with friends & family in the States and encourage them to participate.  

TAKE ACTION

Feb 4 Update: The appropriations bill to fund DHS and ICE has now returned to the Senate to be voted on no later than February 13th. Call your senators now and demand they defund ICE or substantially restrict it! As Senator Warren says: "We have a chance to rein in ICE, but its going to take ALL of us on the front line." 

Call or email your Senators! Especially Republicans! 
More info and sample script HERE 

Demand Kristi Noem and mastermind of evil Stephen Miller be fired! 

Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller have turned the Department of Homeland Security into a vehicle for cruelty, lawlessness, and political violence. Congress must demand accountability, and Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller must be fired.

Contact your Representatives! 
More info and sample script HERE 

EVENTS

Wednesday 11 February, 8pm SA Time 
How to Avoid Double Taxation as Americans Abroad 

What we’ll cover:

• What is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
• What is the Foreign Tax Credit
• How to use tax treaties to your advantage
• How to avoid or minimize double taxation for pensions, savings, investments, and the sale of your home
• How you can reduce or eliminate double taxation with advanced tax planning

More Info & Register in advance HERE 
Proceeds fund Dems Abroad 

January through March
Taxation Task Force 2026 Tax Webinar Series 

This series is an incredibly popular Democrats Abroad programme. Know other US Citizens who might be interested? Forward this email or send them the link!  

More Info & RSVP HERE 

Sunday 15 February, 4pm SA Time

Celebrate Lunar New Year, Empower Our Voices, and Find Community!

The Global AAPI Caucus of Democrats Abroad invites you to this online celebratory gathering to kick off the Year of the Fire Horse

Join us to welcome new beginnings, inspiration, and renewed energy for collective action as a global community sharing our AAPI pride.

More Info & RSVP HERE 

Tuesday 24 February - Time to be confirmed 

More Info & RSVP HERE 

Sunday 8 March from 11:00 SA Time - Zoom
Feminist Hackathon

The Feminist Hackathon is an all-day, hands-on power lab for women who are done asking permission and ready to build something together.

On International Women’s Day, women from around the world come together to answer a question that's on everyone's mind: Who wields power, and how do we take it back?

You will collaborate, play, experiment, argue, create, demystify, test ideas, and leave with real tools, real connections, and a clear next step. No coding involved or expertise required - just your brain, your experience, your creativity and whatever “random” skills you’ve been told don’t belong in politics. Spoiler: they do.

More Info, Sharing Kit & RSVP HERE  
**HELP spread the word and get others involved! 

Monday 16 March, 7pm South African Time on Zoom 
Further info will follow and you can RSVP HERE

Watch this space for more local events soon! 

VOLUNTEER

We're building our volunteer teams! Whatever your skills, interests and experience there is an opportunity for you. Contact Liz at [email protected] 

Thanks to several volunteers in the Western Cape we'll be at the American International School of Cape Town's International Day Event this Saturday! Pop by the table to say hi to Volunteer Steve Barak (pictured above) and find out more about voting from abroad! 

Things have been a new level of crazy on the political front in 2026. That makes getting our membership list tightened up pretty important. Voters come and go, whether moving to the US or elsewhere in the world. 

Outreach to non-existent members really burns up our limited resources.  Also, outreach to the "real" members at this time is great to encourage them to register to vote!

MEMBERS: You can log into your account HERE (upper right-hand corner) to update your local contact details or registered US voting address. Then please let us know at [email protected] to save our volunteers time calling you! 

Please expect a call, message or email from DASA volunteers asking to update your info and reminding you to request your ballots for 2026. 

PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!

Sharing a recent reel from our Instagram and Facebook profiles that celebrates all of us who are registering to vote from abroad. Have you registered yet? please send us your pic with a peace sign to [email protected] and we can include you in the next post! As we’ve seen from recent events in Texas, our votes have impact! Share these posts where you can to get more people registered.

US Citizens in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]

Facebook 

Instagram 

HELP US FIND US VOTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA 

You can help us find and mobilize US voters across South Africa this year by reaching out to your networks, volunteering or making a financial contribution.

Let us know if you'd like to volunteer by emailing us at [email protected]. Click the button below to donate

Thank you - 

Democrats Abroad South Africa