December and January are not the busiest periods for many members with both the general festive season closing and of course the annual administrative catch up on the work of the year as well. The highlights of this period include:

The Eastern Cape Welfare Forum was involved in the finalisation of the Eastern Cape Joint Strategic Committee (ECJSC) which will help to foster a good working relationship with the Department of Social Development in the province.

Western Cape Welfare Forum collaborated with advice offices in organising a picketing held outside the Offices of the Consumer Protector, protesting against the funding cuts to advice offices.

A notice was received from the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) registrar regarding the payment of annual fees for 2011/2012 financial year. The final date for the payment of these fees is 31st March 2011. The annual fee for registered Social Workers is R350 and for registered Social Auxiliary Workers is R170. The registration division can be reached on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

At a regional meeting of the Nelson Mandela Welfare Forum on 26 January 2011, concerns were expressed that no calls for applications by the NLDTF yet would mean no funds can be expected in the coming year 2011/2012. The members agreed to send a letter of concern to the Department of Trade and Industry and request the National Welfare Forum to alert the media to the crisis this will place on the NGO sector.

Gauteng: A list of problems with the M&E system was tabled at the meeting between Gauteng Welfare Forum and the Department of Social Development on 20 January 2011.  Agreement was reached to further address these issues at a follow-up meeting, and on an ongoing basis within the Summit Task Team on the Social Audit, Planning and Information Management.

Eastern Cape: At a meeting of the Nelson Mandela District Welfare Forum on 26 January 2011, several members complained about the duplicate visits, reports and assessments that are taking place. That seemed to be caused by duplicate roles and functions of the service office, the district office and the provincial office. John Allen was tasked with requesting a meeting with the district manager to address the issues and that it form part of the agenda for the ECJSC workshop. The meeting also noted that subsidies will be paid by 28 January 2011.

Gauteng: Jackie Loffell is participating in the Joint Strategic Committee (JSC) activities in this regard and circulating information to the provincial forum networks.  A provincial workshop on this issue is planned for April.

Eastern Cape: On 2nd December 2010, John Allen and Ivan Siyila attended the Eastern Cape Joint Strategic Committee (ECJSC) meeting along with other provincial members and representatives from the Department of Social Development in East London. The meeting discussed the structure and function of the ECJSC. The Department requested that the permanent ECJSC be finalised as it is currently an interim structure, before the MOU is finalised. There must be one structure representative from all sectors and areas to represent the NPO sector.

Gauteng: A delegation from the Gauteng Welfare Forum Provincial MANCO met with the Department of Health & Social Development's (DHSD) Chief Operations Officer: Social Development and senior officials on 20 January 2010. Agreement was reached on a process to get the Welfare Summit Agenda for Action back on track. This Agenda deals with all the major partnership issues between the Department and NPOs including transformation; funding; human resourcing and CBO capacity-building; partnership and communication; and the social audit, planning and information management.

The Gauteng Welfare Form's Coordinator, Jackie Loffell attended a Joint Strategic Committee (JSC) meeting on 17 January 2010 in Pretoria.  The focus was the current Free State High Court case regarding NPO funding and the JSC's contribution to activities in this connection, and engagement with government on this and other critical policy issues.

The Gauteng Welfare Forum approached the Portfolio Committee Chairperson to request sight of the Department's written responses to questions raised by the Committee following inputs from the Forum on the Department's Annual Report. This information is still awaited.

Western Cape: Abigail Peters participated in a teleconference held on 25 January 2011 to discuss the report back of the ICESCR campaign achievements last year, the way forward and planning of the planning session intended to be held with other organisations and institutions. It was resolved to meet for the planning session on 25 February 2011.

On 27 January 2011, a picket organised by the Western Cape Welfare Forum in collaboration with the Metropolitan Advice Office Forum was held outside the Offices for the Consumer Protector. The protest was against the funding cut of R3000 per month at the start of the new financial year and a memorandum was handed over to the Minister.

Mpumalanga: Mariana Esterhuizen, the Mpumalanga Welfare Forum's administrator was in correspondence with ABSA Bank Nelspruit for financial training of the home based carers and grass root level participants. They managed to secure R30, 000 funding from the bank and Mariana started to make workshop arrangements to be held in January 2011.

Eastern Cape: The Eastern Cape Provincial Advisory Board has partnered with a company called Party Design and Skills Village, in efforts to sustain the work and existence of 7 District Advisory Board Offices. Party Design has aided the Advisory Board by employing intern administrators for 6 months. As a chairperson of the advisory board in his district, Ivan supervised 8 interns who work at the service offices of the Department of Social Development at OR Tambo district municipality, responsible for recording community social challenges, updating various municipality profiles and are part of events done by the department.

Membership, networking and partnerships

Rajesh Latchman attended two meetings of the Code of Governance for the Non-Profit Sector Steering Committee in Cape Town during December 2010 and January 2011. The steering committee has commenced the process of meeting with the representatives of the King Committee as well as commencing desktop research on the various codes already in existence and use. The steering committee is still grappling with questions around; the role of the Department of Social Development, the ownership of the code, the need for widespread dialogue about the code and of course the design, implementation and monitoring of the code.  The members of the Steering Committee include: Ms Shelagh Gastrow, Mr Clive Barrows, Mr Richard Rosenthal, Mr Jimmy Gotyana, Ms Joanne Harding, Mr Rajesh Latchman (alternate for Mr TJ Mare) and Ms Colleen du Toit. For more information about the proposed code and the process to date, please contact Janine L. Ogle, Coordinator: Code of Governance for the Non-profit Sector on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, extended an invite to civil society organisations to a meeting on 26 January in Johannesburg at the offices of the South African Human Rights Commisssion (SAHRC) in order to have a balanced perspective on the rights of migrants in South Africa. Civil society representatives Ms. Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, (Lawyers for Human Rights) Dr. Jo Veary (African Migration Studies Programme, Wits), Ms. Mpilo Buthane-Shange (CORMSA) and Mr. Rajesh Latchman (GCAP-SA) arrived at the scheduled time for the meeting with the the Special Rapportuer but, were told that "due to circumstances beyond our control, we were not able to honour the schedule and all activities were subsequently delayed." A sad indictment of the importance (or lack of in this case) that the UN system places on engagement with civil society and given that the UN system in South Africa is funded from taxpayer money, a further insult as well. We are hopeful that in future, the UN officials will be able to make better logistical arrangements and show some real will to engage with civil society.

Eastern Cape: Ivan Siyila attended to a protest of 67 staff members at the Empilweni Old Aged Home on 1st December 2010. The caregivers at the home were demanding bonuses and a salary increase. As the Chairperson of the home, Ivan addressed the protesters and assured them that their demands will be attended to by the Governing Body together with their union (NEHAWU). The strike was called off after hours of discussions with the protesters and they returned back to work.

On 11th January 2011, Ivan Siyila attended a board meeting on Empilweni Old Aged Home to discuss the basic operations of the home. Empilweni is the only old aged home in the former Transkei, accommodating 140 residents which Ivan Siyila, the Eastern Cape provincial coordinator is a board member. The home is subsidised by the Department of Social Development and the National Lottery.

The Western Cape Welfare Forum together with its partners held a programmes planning meeting on 4th December 2010 to determine how best they can engage with each other and members around the province. Issues discussed included media coverage for events, governance of organisations and funding cuts for organisations. It was resolved that sustainable programmes be held in rural areas of the Western Cape to increase the visibility of The Forum in the province. 

20 January 2011, 09h00, the Bank of Lisbon Building, Market Street, Johannesburg

A delegation from the Gauteng's Provincial MANCO met with the Department of Health & Social Development's (DHSD) Chief Operations Officer: Social Development and senior officials.

17 January 2011, 10h00, SAVF offices, Riviera, Pretoria

Jackie Loffell attended a Joint Strategic Committee meeting where the focus was the Free State High Court case regarding NPO funding and the JSC's contribution to activities in this connection, and engagement with government on this and other critical policy issues.

7 December 2010, 10h00, CMI, Joubert Street Extension, Johannesburg

Provincial Forum meeting (MANCO) with 10 participants: This was the regular monthly management meeting to review activities and decide on ongoing action.

2 December 2010, 9h00, Abraham Kriel Child Care, Marais Street, Langlaagte

Greater Johannesburg RWSSDF AGM and MANCO meeting

Gauteng: A call was sent out for information from all regions about municipal charges for rates, services and health certificates for NPO premises, with a view to approaching the Provincial Department of Local Government to seek a change in policy regarding such charges.

An advertisement from the Department of Labour regarding a proposed sectoral determination for social welfare NPOs was circulated widely, and organisations were encouraged to respond.  Responses copied to the GWSSDF were forwarded to the National Office for information.

The Gauteng Forum was alerted that an organisation had used its letterhead without authorisation, to advertise a function. This was followed up in order to ensure that there is no repetition of this situation. Steps are being taken to develop a secure letterhead.

Members were informed of relevant events and training opportunities as well as legislative and policy developments within the sector and a New Year Newsletter was circulated.

We are sad to report that Mr. Qiniso Dube resigned as the Mpumalanga provincial coordinator during December 2010. Qiniso served the Mpumalanga Forum well during his tenure and has now moved on to follow his passion with the provincial branch of Epilepsy South Afrcia. We look forward to contining to work with and see Qiniso as he leads a new challenge with this sterling member organisation of the Mpumalanga Forum. The vacant position of provincial coordinator was advertised and interviews will take place during February 2011 in Middelburg. 

The current Executive Committee of Mpumalanga Welfare Forum is made up of the following people: Mrs Lize Stapelburg (Chairperson), Ms Rebecca Mashigo (Deputy Chairperson), Mr Barry van Rensburg (Treasurer), Ms Benita Nel (Secretary) and additional members: Ms Ina Pelzer, Ms Vengie Habile and Ms Geraldine Jones.

Mpumalanga members are also working on a Service Plan for 2011/2012 which will be made available to National Office as soon as it is completed and approved by Mpumalanga EXCO.

For more information, please contact the

Programme Support Team

For the North West, Free State & Northern Cape, please direct enquiries to Thato Modise at National Office.

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