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Stay up to date Forum Reports Activity Report - April 2011
Stay up to date Forum Reports Activity Report - April 2011 | Activity Report - April 2011 |
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The National Welfare Forum (NWF) has certainly kept its finger on the pulse of the critical issues facing the social welfare sector and there is continuity in the organisation’s mandate to influence social welfare policy. Since the White Paper process from 1994 to 1997, much has happened in the sector and the country and this changing reality has escaped the largely ineffective Department of Social Development (DoSD). Late, non and delayed payments of subsidies, unclear departmental allocations and the merging and unmerging and remerging of Health and Social Development on a provincial level have left NGOs and CBOs in a state of what can only be described as frustration in trying to deliver services on the ground. Add to this the general poor performance of public funding bodies such as the National Development Agency (NDA) and the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) and we have what is a real crisis in the NGO sector in South Africa. The development priorities we are pursuing and how government actually relates to NGO and CBOs is as clear as mud and it is good thing that at least NGOs have managed to realise that we need a new Social Services and Development Act in South Africa and the NWF is forging ahead with the process to consult and develop the key framework and principles of such and Act. Being ever hopeful, we are confident that at some point in the foreseeable future, DoSD will awake from the stupor of party appointments and we can then move forward as a nation and make sure that we have a clear framework for the delivery of social welfare and development services in South Africa. We can only build the envisioned development state of our pre-1994 dreams if we do the hard work of building a new Social Services and Development Act for South Africa. In a recent consultation held in Limpopo, 35 organisations and NWF members had this to say about the current NSSA Discussion Document: ‘Governance and accountability within the CBO sector should be related to a single policy or priority ‘domain’ that correctly ensures uniformity of function and purpose for the sector without the confusion of fragmentation. The current governance and accountability framework for CBOs requires being subject to national, provincial and local government as well as donor focused accountability. There needs to be a coordinated system for overall accountability for the sector that is set in a single domain ’. So while the DoSD, the Minister, DG and even the Portfolio Committee: Social Development refuse to even acknowledge receipt of the discussion document from the NWF (despite several email and registered snail mail deliveries), the CBOs and NGOs grow even more restless for new social services act to re-define the social welfare sector and improve social welfare services delivery and sustainability. If you have any ideas about how to awake DoSD from its slumber, drop us an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Programmes Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers (PFASP) John Allen (Eastern Cape Provincial Coordinator) met with the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) on 7 April 2011 for preparations of the proposed case against the Department of Social Development (DoSD) regarding the late and non-payments of subsidies. The LRC had requested the Eastern Cape Welfare Forum to prepare a list of all their members and the organizations they represent. In addition, members organizations were requested to submit details of the number of people they serve and of those, how many that are HIV/AIDS related. There is progress with the Eastern Cape Joint Strategic Committee (ECJSC) and the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (DoSD). All other districts have concluded their selections process of representatives to the ECJSC except the Amathole District. A meeting was held with DoSD regarding the way forward for the ECJSC. On 19 April 2011, 35 organisations attended a membership consultation and New Social Service Act (NSSA) policy workshop in Tzaneen, Limpopo. Ms Thato Modise presented the programmes of the NWF for 2011, urging the members to contribute by raising the provincially aggregated needs to these programmes and training workshops. Ms Amanda Mgimeti (Limpopo Coordinator) highlighted the programmes that are being implemented in Limpopo for 2011 and prompted the organisations to make contact with her to ensure that the programmes are delivered in collaboration with them. The training needs for the province are governance and accountability related. These include bookkeeping, financial reporting, administrations and governance. Mr Watson Hamunakwadi presented the New Social Service Act (NSSA) speaking at length on the state of the social welfare sector, current challenges and how the NSSA will improve the functionality and form for the sector. The input that has been received from other provinces was explained and the Limpopo collective was asked to make contribution. The contribution made was based on the challenges that the CBOs are facing in dealing with many of their funders, where reported is decentralised but un-coordinated by the department creating un-necessary reporting plurality. The final consensus contribution from Limpopo members is below: ‘Governance and accountability within the CBO sector should be related to a single policy or priority ‘domain’ that correctly ensures uniformity of function and purpose for the sector without the confusion of fragmentation. The current governance and accountability framework for CBOs requires being subject to national, provincial and local government as well as donor focused accountability. There needs to be a coordinated system for overall accountability for the sector that is set in a single domain’. These workshops to discuss and lobby DoSD for a new act will continue in the year and build the momentum for a new social services act that will address inherent sector challenges. Monitoring and Evaluation problems The DoSD continues its incessant crackdown on NGOs operating in KZN. Organisations that are not submitting their NFD Statistics are continually being harassed by DoSD and threatened with subsidy cuts. Correspondence has been sent to the different districts to inform them that there is an impasse in this matter as despite writing to the relevant authorities, no feedback has been received. This DoSD crakdown is depsite several submissions on the breach of confidentiality that the NFD statistics entail. Submissions to Parliament, Govt depts. & Portfolio Committees There has been no response to various meeting requests by the KwaZulu Natal Welfare (KZN) Forum to the KZN Portfolio Committee to discuss subsidies among other issues. Despite numerous letters by the Directors’ Forum and KZN Welfare Forum to the Premier of KZN, various HoDs at DoSD, the KZN-DoSD legal department and the Director General at National Treasury, there has been no response to addressing issues regarding subsidies, service level agreements and NFD statistics. The Gauteng Welfare Forum attended the presentation of the provincial Department’s third-quarter progress report to the Gauteng Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development. The Forum subsequently submitted comments on the report highlighting current problems including that of substantial under-spending of the Social Development component of the Department’s budget. To read about these comments click here . On 19 April 2011, Ivan Siyila (Eastern Cape Provincial Coordinator) attended a meeting with the Eastern Cape Provincial Advisory Board in preparation for the upcoming two day summit to focus on the state, funding, functioning and term of office of the Advisory Board. John Allen attended a ECJSC meeting with DoSD in King Williamstown, Eastern Cape, on 29 April 2011. The meeting was well attended by members of the Forum, the NGO Coalition, the Advisory Board and 16 members of DoSD. The MOU could not be finalised as members from the legal department were not present. It was confirmed that no increases in subsidies would be received again this year, this being the 4th year with no increases. Social Security and grants The Western Cape Welfare Forum held a Child Rights workshop on 30 April 2011 in partnership with the Black Sash and the Ceres Advice Office where 51 people from various organisations attended. The workshop touched on various aspects of a child such as Children Act, Child Justice Act, the Children's Rights and Social Grants for children. Capacity Building The Gauteng Welfare Forum capacity building training was completed in March and community based organisations were trained on Fundamentals of fundraising (10-11 March 2010); Marketing your NPO (11 June 2010); Applying for funding from the NLDTF (11 March 2011). All the workshops dealt with aspects of fundraising as it was an issue that was identified in the process of consultation with stakeholders, to be of greatest need for purposes of capacity building. Sandra Miller, the director of the Fundraising Forum , facilitated the workshops and made herself available outside of workshop times for any assistance. The workshops were very well received and participants appeared to find them very worthwhile. Membership, networking and partnerships In 2010, Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) in South Africa and National Welfare Forum (NWF) committed to partnering with International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) to produce a handbook for the Equality Courts. In the month under review, GCAP in South Africa and the NWF hosted the ISLP researcher for the South African leg of the Equality Courts Handbook from 11 April to 21 April 2011. Series of meetings and researches were undertaken with the magistrate court clerks, magistrates, South Africa African Human Rights Council’s (SAHRC) legal department and provincial offices, Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Legal Department, Athlone Advice Centre, Black Sash Legal Department and law firm Bowman and Gilfillan . The various consultations took place in Johannesburg and Cape Town at the magistrate’s and regional courts. The researcher has identified challenges relating to lack of public dissemination of the existence of the courts, suboptimal knowledge by magistrates and courts clerks in processing complaints and incapacity by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and individuals to engage with the courts which has invariably led to few cases being taken up. However, this disparity when disaggregated reveals more knowledge in metropolitan areas and the least knowledge being in rural areas. Ms Abigail Peters and Mr Watson Hamunakwadi assisted the researcher in this crucial leg of this important research. From the preliminary research findings, there exists a clear need for a handbook that can address the issues of building sufficient knowledge base about the courts. It has emerged as crucial a process to improve access to these courts by engaging CBOs on how they can effectively seek justice in these courts. The organisations and individuals who formed part of the research enquiry are committed to this process showing overwhelmingly support. NWF and GCAP-SA are grateful to have such strong and committed partners. The editing and development of the handbook will be coordinated by GCAP-SA with input and commentary from all the organisations involved in the research. The countrywide screenings of Themba continue after having completed a successful 2010 leg in four provinces. On 19 April 2010, the Grace Mugodeni Youth Centre in Tzaneen, Limpopo hosted the community screening to 200 learners. This screening was part of the programmes and efforts of the youth centre to galvanise existing HIV/AIDS and career education that is delivered at the centre. The screening was attended by CSOs who work in the HIV/AIDS sector. Learners present expressed greater understanding of the social context of HIV/AIDS, realised the possibility of achieving one’s goals despite overwhelming odds and took to heart the message of tolerance and social acceptance of those living and affected by HIV/AIDS. Following this successful screening, the Themba team travelled to Mbilwi Secondary School and screened Themba on 20 April 2011. The school had held HIV/AIDS awareness lesson under Life Orientation prior to the screening of the movie. Despite electricity outages setbacks, over 350 learners waited for the screening of the movie. The movie viewing was opened by the Life Orientation teacher who set in the context of the viewing. The learners were educated about the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, common myths about cures and learnt that dreams are achievable under any challenge. The audience response was phenomenal and with the support of the principal, Mr C N Linzhade, more interactive learning experiences can be successful at this school. At the Gauteng Welfare Forum MANCO meeting on 1 March 2011, the President of the National Association of Social Workers South Africa (NASW SA) addressed the work of their organisation with the view of developing partnership with the Forum. The first session of a two-stage workshop on the King III report and its implications for NPOs was held on 1 April 2011 in Mayfair, Johannesburg with 14 participants. The second session of this workshop was to have been held on 8 April but had to be postponed due to the facilitator being unavailable. The 20 participants present instead engaged in a general discussion on incoming legislation including the Consumer Protection Act, and related issues. Following the meeting held last month between Mrs Beulah Lumkwana (Chairperson, National Welfare Forum), Rajesh Latchman (National Coordinator), John Allen (Provincial Coordinator) and representatives from Volkswagen (VW) Corporate and Government Affairs in Eastern Cape, a follow up meeting was held on 19 April 2011 where John and Beulah made a presentation of Themba the movie community screenings initiative to VW. This was in seeking of partnership with the VW Soccer Bus on Tour (sports training initiative in Eastern Cape). Response regarding the outcome of the presentation is awaited. Sbongile Ntsweni (Mpumalanga Provincial Coordinator) contacted the local forums for updates. Most local forums have challenges and meetings are being cancelled/postponed due to lack of participants but bucking this trend, the Govan Mbeki Forum held a successful meeting on 16 March 2011 in Standerton with over 30 organisations attending and re-affirming their commitment to the provincial structure. The Nelson Mandela Welfare Forum in the Eastern Cape held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 18 April 2011 where the following office bearers were elected: Mike Tsietso (Chairperson), Sheldine Septoe (Deputy Chairperson), Maureen Andreka (Treasurer) and Travis Marshall (Secretary). Meetings and events attended 2 March 2011, Gauteng Legislature, President Street, Johannesburg Jackie Loffell (Gauteng Provincial Coordinator) and several Forum members attended a presentation to the Provincial Portfolio Committee by the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development of the Department’s third-quarter progress report. 22 March 2011, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway, Auckland Park Gauteng Forum was represented at a seminar hosted by the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg concerning the role of spirituality in health resilience. 23 March 2011, Turffontein Racecourse, Turffontein, Johannesburg Gauteng Forum was represented at a workshop convened by the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development, entitled “Working together we can win the fight against substance abuse in the Gauteng Province” 29 March 2011, Parktonian Hotel, Braamfontein, Johannesburg Gauteng Forum was represented at a Provincial Participatory Democracy Forum conducted by the Human Rights Foundation . The focus was on making democracy and human rights a reality for the poorest communities, and on using the services of Chapter Nine institutions for this purpose. 7 April 2011, Eastern Cape Meeting with the Legal Resource Centre (LRC) to prepare for the proposed case against the Department of Social Development (DoSD) 7 April 2011, Eastern Cape Meeting at Empilweni Home with NEHAWU to discuss salary increases for staff 12 April 2011, Eastern Cape Meeting of the Cacadu District to elect members from the area to serve on the Eastern Cape Joint Strategic Committee (ECJSC). 18 April 2011, Eastern Cape Nelson Mandela Forum Annual General Meeting (AGM) where office bearers were elected 19 April 2011, Eastern Cape Meeting with VW to present Themba the movie community screenings campaign 19 April 2011, Eastern Cape Meeting with Eastern Cape Provincial Advisory Board 20 April 2011, Eastern Cape, King Williamstown Eastern Cape Joint Strategic Committee meeting with the Department of Social Development 6 April 2011, Western Cape, Triangle Offices, Mowbray, 10h00-12h00 Meeting with Triangle Project and Black Sash on continued work in De Noon and other areas 18 April 2011, Western Cape, 09h00-11h30 Meeting with the Magistrate of Goodwood Magistrates court with the researcher Mr Joe Hahn. Meeting at Athlone Advise Office in Athlone with Mr Brian Alcock and Joe Hahn 19 April 2011, Western Cape, Beacon Valley, Mitchell's Plain Meeting with the chief magistrate of Mitchell's Plain and Mr Joe Hahn 20 April 2011, Addrely Street, ABSA building, Cape Town, 11h30-13h00 Meeting at Human Rights Commission legal representatives and Joe Hahn 20 April 2011, Strand Street, Cape Town Meeting with Leonie (Black Sash) regarding the workshop partnership with Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) set to take place on 30 April Provincial or regional forum meetings 1 March 2011, Abraham Kriel Child Care, Marais Street, Langlaagte, Johannesburg Gauteng Provincial Forum MANCO meeting. 1 March 2011, Training workshop for Regional Forum office-bearers and representatives of the Gauteng Forum The aim was to strengthen Regional Forums by deepening their understanding of the history and purposes of the Forum as a whole, and of the specific roles of Regional Forums. The following areas were covered: Brief history of the NWSSDF and the GWSSDF, Brainstorm: potential contribution of RWSSDFs, Basic responsibilities of a RWSSDF, Responsibilities of office bearers, RWSSDFs’ expectations of the Provincial Forum. 3 March 2011, Abraham Kriel Child Care, Marais Street, Langlaagte. This was the regular monthly management meeting to review activities and decide on ongoing action. 11 March 2011, JISS Centre, Battery Street, Mayfair, Duration: Capacity-building workshop for CBOs. This workshop provided intensive guidance on the process of applying for funding from the National Lottery, including the completion of the relevant form. 28 February 2011, Address: Kids Haven, 38 Cranbourne Ave., Benoni. Ekurhuleni RWSSDF MANCO meeting. This was the regular monthly management meeting to review activities and decide on ongoing action. 15 April 2011, Mpumalanga Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting held at SAVF to discuss the future of the Mpumalanga Welfare Forum 5 April 2011, Abraham Kriel Child Care, Marais Street, Langlaagte, Johannesburg Gauteng Provincial Forum Manco meeting. This was the regular monthly management meeting to review activities, share information and decide on ongoing action. 5 April 2011, Abraham Kriel Child Care, Marais Street, Langlaagte Greater Johannesburg RWSSDF Manco meeting. This was the regular monthly management meeting to review activities, share information and decide on ongoing action. A speaker from Nursing Emergency Services addressed the meeting on possibilities for assistance at organisations that employ health care staff. 18 April 2011, Kids Haven, 38 Cranbourne Ave, Benoni Ekurhuleni RWSSDF Manco meeting. Regular monthly management meeting to review activities, share information and decide on ongoing action. For more information, to join the National Welfare Forum or to tell us about your great work, please contact the Programme Support Team member nearest to you. Eastern Cape Provincial Coordinator, John Allen, Tel: 0415836675, Fax: 0865021542; Mobile: 0822003731; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text61514 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Eastern Cape Provincial Coordinator, Ivan Siyila, Tel: 0475376577; Fax: 0866965038; Mobile: 0733107591; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text32889 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Gauteng Provincial Coordinator, Jackie Loffell, Tel/Fax: 0116438537; Mobile: 0824540991; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it KwaZulu Natal Provincial Coordinator, Stewart Kilburn, Tel: 0312603331; Fax: 0865665196; Mobile: 0836606492; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Limpopo Provincial Coordinator, Amanda Mgimeti, Tel: 0153074833; Fax: 0153076890; Mobile: 0794512608; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Mpumalanga Provincial Coordinator, Sbongile Ntsweni, Tel: 0132432200; Fax: 0132432233; Mobile: 0824130469; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Western Cape Provincial Coordinator, Abigail Peters, Tel: 0216974167; Fax: 0865275445; Mobile: 0834162773; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it National Office: Tel: 011 838 0690 Fax: 011 492 0371, 31 Quinn St, Newtown, Johannesburg Reception, Emily Ntaopane, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Office Administrator, Shamani Naidoo, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Programmes Support: Human Rights, Watson Hamunakwadi, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Programmes Support: Stakeholder Relations, Thato Modise, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Programmes Support: JSC, Karen Peters, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it National Coordinator, Rajesh Latchman, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  Click here to download Activity Report 183.94 KbFind us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Making-Mzansi-Better/14816882261?ref=ts Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalwf/ YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/NationalWF Blog http://www.ngopulse.org/blogs/rajesh-latchman Bookmark this article:          |
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