This will likely be one of the most difficult periods of US history in our lifetimes. We knew it would be bad, but this onslaught seems worse than expected, right from the outset. We’re experiencing a serious threat to the country we as know it, rolling back decades of progress. The implications for South Africa and the world are dire.
I think it's safe to say that we’re all feeling high levels of anxiety and concern for our country, as people’s dignity, rights, freedoms, identities, livelihoods and lives are threatened. There are too many specific issues to mention but our humanity and democratic norms are under attack. Let’s all open our hearts, minds and eyes - and stand up. Standing together - seeing and leveraging the range of our interests, identities, experiences and political perspectives as our collective strength - is the way we get through this. Raising awareness of the Trump administration's actions is critical but it must be coupled with action. There are wide-ranging opinions on how we fight this – it’s clear that Trump and his cronies are willing to test Congress, the law, the Constitution, and the American people. It will require a multi-pronged legal, political, legislative and social response.
As Dr. King said, “Voting is the foundation stone for political action." Our core work as Democrats Abroad is to help US Citizens living outside the country to vote. The one weapon we each have in this battle for our country is our ballot. There are elections this year in several states and we also need to work now to be ready to mobilise voters for the 2026 midterms to increase our power in Congress and across the country. Request your 2025 ballots now at www.votefromabroad.org and ask every American you know if they are registered. If they’re in SA or elsewhere abroad, lead them to Vote From Abroad and invite them to join us at www.democratsabroad.org/join
No, this will not be enough! We’ve been discussing ideas for additional tools to share resources between us and specifically focusing on action / solution-based resources and opportunities. Please email [email protected] if you have ideas or would like to be involved in crowdsourcing these resources! We’re having discussions with members and will keep engaging.
Newer Members
A warm welcome again to the nearly 130 new members who joined as the election momentum developed last year. We are very happy to have you as part of this growing community of Democrats in South Africa, especially at this critical time, and encourage you to get involved! As you'll see in the Events section below, we'll be hosting an online session for New Members and Volunteers on Monday 10 February at 19:00 and hope to see you there!
February is Black History Month!
DASA will be celebrating Black History Month and looks forward to acknowledging our history and highlighting the achievements and contributions of African Americans in the United States and South Africa.
The Trump administration is actively working to silence and erase Black history, revoke Civil Rights, reverse social and economic progress, and dismantle programmes and policies that promote equity and justice.
This Black History Month we can all push back by amplifying Black voices, raising awareness, recognising the contributions of Black Americans, and sharing resources. You'll see two Black History Month events hosted by the Global Black Caucus in the Events section below. We're also working with members on a special edition for Black History Month.
In resistance, strength and solidarity,
Liz O'Leary - DASA Chair
[email protected]
DASA AGM & EXCO ELECTIONS
DASA’s 2025-27 Executive Committee (Exco) will be elected ahead of this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will be held online Tuesday 18 March 2025.
You would have received a separate email from the Nominations and Elections Committee announcing the upcoming elections and AGM.
IMPORTANT DATES
Voting will take place electronically prior to the AGM
Nominations Deadline: 28 February 2025
Electronic Ballots Sent Out: 4 March 2025
Voting Closes: 14 March 2025
AGM and Election Results: 18 March 2025
The 2025 Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Counsel, and two (2) Members at Large to serve a two year term.
Visit our Elections page for further information HERE
You'll find info and RSVP links for the 18 Feb Open House for potential candidates and the 18 March AGM in the Events section of this newsletter.
Special thanks to our Nominations and Executive Committee members Susan Cashin (NEC Chair), Tiwana Merritt and Cristianne Wendler for managing this process.
Resources from DemList
This week's DNC Meeting & Elections and Interesting Info on Congress and Mayoral Representation
"The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is holding its Winter meeting this week to decide who will marshal and steer the national party through the next four years of the Trump administration.
The bi-annual gathering will also address party business, committee reports and resolutions -- and approval of the Rules and Procedure for the election of officers, which will take place Saturday."
Check out DemList's Guide to the DNC and related resources HERE
Looking for info on the composition of our 119th Congress? READ THIS summary which includes interesting demographic information re: representation in Congress. "The 119th Congress has 136 people of color, four fewer than the previous US House and Senate, which was the most ethnically and racially diverse in history." According to DemList, over 90% of elected Republicans to Congress are white. Clearly not representative of the population. Read further about Dem demographics and get ready to vote in 2026!
HERE is some interesting info on the 2024 Mayoral races in cities across the country.
VOTING CONTINUES IN 2025!
AND WE PREPARE FOR 2026 MIDTERMS!
Why should you request a ballot (submit an FPCA) using Vote From Abroad in 2025?
- It ensures that your voter registration remains current.
- It ensures protections under federal law (UOCAVA) for your vote.
- It requires your Local Election Official to send you ballots for all elections you are eligible to vote in during the calendar year.
- There are important elections in Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin already on the calendar. More may be scheduled!
- There’s no such thing as an “off year”. Special elections can – and do – pop up unexpectedly. Be ready.
Request your 2025 Ballot at www.votefromabroad.org
Find State-specific dates and information at www.votefromabroad.org/states
Help Reach Voters in SA!
If you know or meet US Citizens in South Africa, ask them if they know they can vote from here. Lead them to Vote From Abroad and encourage them to become a DASA member at www.democratsabroad.org/join so they can get involved and we can keep them up to date.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
Democrats Abroad has initiated a Resistance Advocacy programme.
Key initiatives include:
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Defending Democracy Initiative: advocating for overseas voter rights in legislation. Join the team!
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Take Action Team: No time for legislation but want to be active? Get our rapid response materials for activist outreach - Sign Up to be notified!
- Community Engagement: support for our Country Committees, Task Forces and Global Caucuses to help them grow through our advocacy work, and to help empower their membership to advocate for the issues that matter to them.
SPEAK UP: Write to your State Leaders
This is a full-on assault on our country with significant effects on South Africa and the world! Please schedule time in your daily schedule to contact your elected officials TODAY and every day - whether they are Democrats or Republicans. Choose an area of focus or simply tell them to STOP the Trump administration's attack on our country.
VOLUNTEER
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all who have been volunteering with DASA in some way! There's a lot of work to do in the coming weeks and months. We have an energetic, committed and fun team of people involved in SA. Join us!
Volunteers make it all possible! Click on the red button above for the DASA volunteer interest form or email [email protected]
And see just below for our upcoming Info Session for New Members and Volunteers!
EVENTS
We’d love your input!
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Have ideas for DASA events or venues to use? Know of American owned restaurants? Please take a minute to share ideas CLICK HERE
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Interested in hosting an event or have an idea on finding American voters in SA? Let us know [email protected]
Sunday 9 February 2025
Global Black Caucus screening of "I Am Not Your Negro" and Discussion
Two sessions - 9:00 and 17:00 SA Time
Info and RSVP for the 9:00 (SAST) Showing HERE
Info and RSVP for the 17:00 (SAST) Showing HERE
Sunday 16 February 2025
Rest and Rise: A Wellness Workshop for Global Majority Activists and Allies
This workshop is hosted by Adrianne George, a GBC leader, DA Sweden member and who served as a DNC member for Democrats Abroad from 2016-2024.
17:00 SAST
More Info and RSVP HERE
Global Black Caucus Monthly Cafés and future events can be found HERE
Monday 24 March 2025
Social Security for Americans in the UK and Africa
Jennifer Hersey from the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU), based in the American Embassy in London, will join us to speak about Social Security eligibility for people living abroad.
19:00-20:30 SAST
More Info and RSVP HERE
Monday 10 February 2025
Get Involved: Info session for New Members and Volunteers
19:00-20:00
Zoom
More info and RSVP HERE
Tuesday 18 February 2025
Open House info session for potential DASA Exco Candidates
19:00-20:00
More Info and RSVP HERE
Tuesday 18 March 2025
DASA AGM, Exco Elections Results & Brief Update from the Taxation Task Force
19:00-20:30 SAST
Zoom
More Info and RSVP HERE
PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!
Americans in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
**Join our WhatsApp group**
**This is the quickest way for us to keep in touch regularly as a group!
The invite link has been removed for safety on the website. Please email us if you'd like to join the WhatsApp group.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadSouthAfrica
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/democratsabroadsouthafrica/
It's time to build and prepare!
Please consider Donating Directly to DA South Africa
Can you contribute $25, $250 or $2000 toward our voter mobilisation work in South Africa? We're a volunteer led organisation but still have expenses in getting out the vote. We'll greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Thank you - This isn't the 2025 we had hoped for but let's do all we can to continue fighting for and building the country we aspire to be!
Democrats Abroad South Africa