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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
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 Amnesty International-South Africa and GCAP-SA took part in the Day of Action for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Monday the 17th of October 2011 in Thulani, Extension 3, formally known as Snake Park Informal Settlement or Doornkop in Soweto, south of Johannesburg.

Opening speakers at the event were Councillor Mandla Zulu and Jabulani Thomo whose main objective was to inform the residents as to why they had all gathered at the Doornkop Community Hall. They acknowledged the difficulties they were all facing and that despite the many promises by others they were confident that the organisations present on this day and the residents of Thulani could begin to stand together and eradicate poverty in their community.

Executive Director of Amnesty International, Nokuthula Magudulela, expressed their intentions to assist the community where they need it. She also extended information about Amnesty International-SA, clarifying that they are an NGO’s and not part of the government as some of  the residents raised concerns about previous promises by the government that were yet to be fulfilled, and fearing that these statements by the organisations were just as empty.

Gino Govender Advisor at Amnesty International spoke next and he brought reassurance to the community, doing his best to convince them that he understood poverty and all the organisations  participating on this Day of Action were capable of assisting one way or the other and in time there will be progress. He comforted them with stories of poverty in his own life, how he too had gone without certain luxuries when he was younger, therefore knowing the pain that many felt and thus his willingness to create a better livelihood for them and their families.

A play was performed, drawing emphasis on poverty as an issue of the world not just as an issue in Thulani. Two drama students was all it took, one being from Zimbabwe and feeling the harshness of poverty there, making the people realise that we all stand united in this fight, no matter what country we may come from.

After the play Jackie Khumalo, Campaign Coordinator of Amnesty international and Thifulufheli Colbert Sithumule, Paralegal Caseworker of Black Sash approached the mic with questions for the  community that would help assist the organisations understand their needs.


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Funding policy changes push non-profits into business field
September 28 2011 at 05:00am
inyathelo_logo.pngThe recent flare-up between the government and the non-profit sector over changes to policies governing state funding of non-profit organisations (NPOs) has reignited the heated debate around how best to fund our social welfare services and social justice work in South Africa.
The hastily arranged meeting a few weeks ago between the Department of Social Development and a handful of NPOs did little to calm fears over the future funding of the more than 100 000 non-profits who, between them, deliver more than half of the welfare services government is obliged to provide.
Very few NPOs were invited to, or even knew about, the meeting at Parliament, which was apparently set up to address growing concerns over the lack of consultation and failure of the government to appreciate how its proposed policy changes will affect the work we do on their behalf.
One of our ongoing frustrations is that the government appears to see its funding of NPOs as the generous granting of gifts and awards, rather than paying for services rendered, or ensuring funding for organisations that provide basic and essential social services. It seems to see itself as our benefactor, rather than our partner in delivering the critical services promised to the poor and vulnerable.
Another problem with these policy proposals is that they are trying to impose the use of business practices and measurement tools on the non-profit sector. This is being done without much thought to the appropriateness of these practices for the sector, or to the vital work and services we provide.
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Reflections on the NLDTF Indaba
logos.gifThe 2-day national consultative indaba, hosted by the NLDTF on 21st and 22nd June, which was a culmination of several provincial consultative engagements by the fund with civil society. With about 700 delegates present, the aim of the Indaba was to garner inputs on the overall governance, structure and opertaions of the fund. 
The format of the indaba started with a historical overview of the fund, its structure, model, challenges and achievements.
This was followed by breakaway commissions according to the following sub-topics:
1) Where should the money go for Maximum Impact? Policy, Priorities & Reach
2) How should it be done?
3) Managing Risk, Governance & Sustainability.
These commissions were then reported on the following day, followed by seven (7) resolutions proclaimed by the CEO.

• The bulk of the challenges and frustrations experienced by users, fall in the area of administration e.g inexperienced and untrained staff, negligence relating to applications, poor filing systems etc. The lack of sound and proper systems was starkly apparent, an area that lies squarely within the function of the C.O.O. This reflects a high level of inefficient on the funds part, and surely the use of performance targets and associated punitive measures to tighten up the operations would be very beneficial.

• Need for greater alignment with national priorities. Minister Davies acknowledged this area as a current shortcoming and reflected on the relationship to the 12 outcomes as set out by the M&E Ministry. The revised funding model should be more tightly aligned to these outcomes, as part of the broader developmental agenda.
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Final Policy On Financial Awards To Service Providers
pfa_final.jpgAt a meeting with the Joint Strategic Committee ( http://www.forum.org.za/Forum-Network-Partner-NACOSS ) on Friday, 10 June, DoSD officials confirmed on that they have in fact finalised a financing policy for the sector owing to "political pressure." MINMEC approved the policy on 31 March 2011 for implementation effective from April 2011.  We invite you to distribute this policy document and review it carefully with the financing policy framework the JSC (http://www.forum.org.za/engage/pfasp/july2010 ) presented to the DOSD as a marker.

Please also see comments from NWF members from 2009 on the PFASP here: http://www.forum.org.za/pfaspmarch09

We also discovered that DoSD officials were unaware of the outcome of the Free State court case  ( http://www.forum.org.za/fsjudgejune2011 ) or the implications it might have for a national policy.

Finally, DoSD officials indicated that the meeting with the Minister was proposed to take place in mid July, so send us your questions for the Minister here (myvoice@forum.org.za )

pdf  Download the Policy On Financial Awards To Service Providers here 412.32 Kb