End of the Year Special! 

Another comes to an end, the development sector’s work, while constantly challenged, continues unabated. For most South African NGOs, this year has been very challenging and has brought mixed. Although the sustainability challenge remains, the sector will continue the struggle against poverty and the blatant disregard for people’s human rights in the New Year.

As we draw closer to the end of the year, South Africa’s NGO leaders reflect on the past year and provide us with their resolves for the upcoming year.

The AIDS Consortium: The AIDS Consortium notes the significance of cabinet approving a meaningful, multi-pronged and targeted National Strategic Plan (NSP) in 2007, developed in consultation with civil society and outlining some radical shifts in strategy. We were also elected to represent the NGO sector on the restructured South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), at the same time launching our new logo and branding identity. 

Our greatest challenge is thus ensuring coordinated implementation of the NSP, harnessing the opportunity to save lives and turn the tide on HIV. We bid colleagues a well earned rest in order to return revitalised to take on this massive task. Peace and restoration!  – Denise Hunt

Border Rural Committee: The succession battle has had a wide range of impacts, inside and outside the African National Congress (ANC). It has consumed the time and energy of political leadership at all levels, resulting in the neglect of pressing development challenges, especially in rural areas. As a result, civil society has had to find its own way. Whilst it has been useful in focusing attention on the crucial relationships between NGOs and CBOs, it is hoped that the leadership that emerges at Polokwane is able to give greater attention to poverty eradication than has been the case in recent months – Ashley Westaway.

CAF Southern Africa: What sticks out about 2007? Well the words 2010 became part of everyone’s vocabulary, willingly or not, funding doesn’t seem any easier to come by than before for most NGOs, a corporate social investment (CSI) practitioner stood up in a conference and asked what the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) stood for – and the black economic empowerment (BEE) scorecard was the latest conundrum for non profits to deal with.

At CAF we are about to appoint a new CEO to take forward an ambitious business plan for the next three years. Our challenge will be to get the balance between resources and work right, to stay professional in our approach and to find and keep good staff. We want to send more money and resources to non profits each month through our programmes and we hope that more people will find more and effective ways to give in 2008 in South Africa – Yvonne Morgan.

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation: The importance of continuing to understand the contributing factors underlying violence in South Africa was again stressed by the release of police crime statistics confirming a rise in certain violence crimes such as murder and aggravated robberies. This requires renewed efforts to develop greater understanding of the causes and nature of crime and violence, and to develop and test effective state and civil society responses, as well as to address threats to regional security through local level peacebuilding initiatives. The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) will continue its work in this regard in its efforts with victims and perpetrators of violence – Amanda Dissel.

Participation Junction: During 2007 the number of organisations wanting to engage the Provincial and National Parliaments increased. However, many organisations remain sceptical of interaction with decision makers and are unwilling to have a relationship that responds to context – sometimes co-operative, other times confrontational. As the forces of globalisation increasingly target governance as an arena to win ground, it is important that NGOs and community organisations act as the counter force to defend the rights of the marginalised.  Participation Junction looks forward to 2008 with the hope that more organisations will devise effective advocacy strategies, including efforts to influence political decision makers – Charlene Houston.

Project Literacy: Literacy practitioners and those involved in adult basic education will see 2007 as a watershed year. The appointment by Minister Pandor of a task team to tackle the literacy challenges faced by South Africa was an important step forward. The writing up of the campaign strategy and its acceptance by Cabinet went remarkably smoothly. The approval by treasury of the much spoken about R6 billion for a five year campaign was widely welcomed. However, NOW comes the much tougher job of implementation. The campaign is set to begin in earnest in 2008. Staff have yet to be appointed to the unit to be used in the Department of Education (DoE) and the agency which will project manage the campaign has not been appointed either. The role of civil society remains murky to say the least. Like so much in our country I’m concerned that a good plan with good thought behind it won’t hit the skids because of poor implementation. At this stage it’s a wait and see game – Andrew Miller.