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Making Policy Work
Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers
Liza van der Merwe attended a stakeholder meeting with other NGOs and the Department of Social Development in Limpopo. The DSD in Limpopo had a new approach of not paying subsidies if NGO’s registration with the NPO has not been updated. NGO’s need to provide proof that they are registered with the NPO, a certificate of registration was not enough proof. A copy of current registration status as on the internet was required. According to the DSD this process of checking has been finalized in September and they have already started paying NGO’s. They promised that all organisations will be paid by the end of November 2010. This apparently has not happened yet. Some NGO’s such as DEAFSA, who relies on funding from their head office has not received any funding to date and could not continue with their services. SAVF had to close down two of their one stop centres. A list of subsidiaries that has been paid by DSD was presented and none of the NGOs present were part of the ones who received payment. FAMSA Limpopo’s subsidy has been outstanding since September 2009 and no payment has been received to date.
In the previous meeting it was requested that the DSD NGO coordinators attend the meeting. Of the five coordinators (5 districts) only one representative from Sekhukhuni and one from Vhembe attended the meeting.
Submissions to Government Departments
The Gauteng Welfare Forum’s coordinator, Jackie Loffel sent invitations for input on Department of Labour proposals for sectoral determination to stakeholders. Several stakeholders made submissions to the Department of Labour and discussion of the proposals was stimulated in the sector.
Rights and Responsibilities
Social Security and Grants
On 3rd November 2010, a workshop addressing social assistance was held in Mafikeng, North West, with approximately 30 participants from various organisations. Mr Colbert Sinthumule facilitated the workshop in English and Setswana as he addressed the various child and adult related social grants available to the marginalised and vulnerable South Africans.
Community Movie Screenings
The Global Call to Action against Poverty in South Africa partners National Welfare Forum, Black Sash , Mpumalanga Social Services and Development Forum, North West Welfare Forum, Amnesty International South Africa and Family and Marriage Association of South Africa went on tour (2nd–4th ,08-10 and 23-25 November 2010) to showcase ‘Themba the movie’ which has been on circuit at Ster Kinekor in North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo respectively. The tour also marked the continuation of Stand Up and Take Action 2010. The tour attracted over 1300 learners, CBOs, parents, school teachers and community members a cinematic experience. The movie was screened (9 screenings) in churches, old cinema, schools, old age home and community centres where the communities’ experiences with poverty, access to good education, and HIV/AIDS are rife. The movie created a platform for communities to interact on these key challenges particularly amongst NGOs who provide essential services to these affected communities and how they can use Themba as a means for learning.
Key Outcomes
Requests for the movie screenings were made by churches in these areas in a more targeted mechanism to focus on youth in their community. School principals and Life Orientation teachers requested that the Themba programme develop an in-schools program as the movie has effective and interactive reach.
16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children
The above mentioned campaign is an annual activity taking place from 25th November to 10th December of each year. On Friday, 26th November 2010, Black Sash, Western Cape Welfare Forum, GAP, Triangle Project, Dunoon Community Development Project and Dunoon Masincedisane Advice Office held an Information Table in Dunoon in support of the campaign. The purpose of this campaign was to create awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children, to act against abuse and to seek to build partnerships with both men and women, to unite against this form of violence. A table was set up with flyers of information on violence against women, gay and lesbian rights, HIV/AIDS and sexual habits, provided by GAP and the Triangle Project. Black Sash offered flyers about maintenance, debt and credit. An information flyer was also handed out which contained the purpose of the 16 Days of Activism and the contact details of all participating organisations which people can contact for any questions. Abigail Peters was in charge of the music while other organisations informed people about the campaign. Participating organisations were handing out flyers and giving advice. Passing cars stopped by the information table out of curiosity and drivers were given pamphlets. Several participants also handed out flyers to taxi drivers to give to passengers, small children took flyers and were encouraged to give them to their parents. It was noted that the majority of attendees were interested in the topic even though men seemed to show a lack of interest. This event was regarded as an overall success because many people could be reached through it.
Submissions to Portfolio Committees
8 field-of-service cluster presentations and 1 over-arching presentation were made to provincial Portfolio Committee on Department’s Annual Report by Gauteng Welfare Forum on 2nd November 2010. Committee members were informed of key issues including financing problems in: child protection and family support, ECD, child and youth care centres, older persons, crime prevention and victim support, disability, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse fields.
Gauteng Welfare Forum was invited to and was represented at the Department’s presentation of its Annual Report to the Portfolio Committee on 9th November 2010.
Working together to make Mzansi better
Consumer Campaign
On Saturday 13 November 2010, the Western Cape Welfare Forum together with its partners, Black Sash, Bonteheuwel Community Advice Office, Athlone Advice Office, Heideveld Advice and the Office of the Consumer Protector came together in the community of Elsies River to host a Festive Campaign. The aim of the campaign was to make the community aware of their rights as consumers and how to spend money wisely in the festive season. It was also to offer the community of Elsies River free rights education through the information table. Consumers could relay any debt and credit related problems and other related matters such as indigent policy, refugees, school fees, social grants and xenophobia, which would be assisted by all the partners present. The event was situated at Spar Park, a small shopping complex that receives a numerous consumers over the weekend. To attract people to the event, there was music and an MC, Abigail Peters , who drew the crowd with her flair to the table. The partners went out to the people on the street and interacted with them explaining why they were there and also gave flyers to passing cars on the road. Many people were reached through this method.
Membership, Networking and Partnerships
On the 10th November 2010, Ivan Siyila attended a meeting at Empilweni Old Aged Home, to discuss strategic direction of the Home. This was the first time the permanent Governing Body was endorsed by the Board of Directors.
Ivan was mandated by the Board of Empilweni Home to lead the delegation that visited Huis John Foster, an old aged home situated at Queenstown on 18th November 2010. The aim was for the Board and Management to learn how to operate the home. They were welcomed with hospitality and were shown all areas that were of interest to them.
On 1st December 2010, Ivan got a report that Empilweni Home workers were on strike action demanding a 14% increase in salaries and a bonus. He called the police to monitor the situation then addressed the members on strike. After an hour of discussions they agreed to go back to work. Police left after ensuring that workers were back to their respective duties.
Ivan attended a meeting in East London between the Eastern Cape JSC and the Department of Social Development on 2nd December 2010, where finalisations of the Memorandum of Understanding and the Budget were discussed. Relevant officials from the department were present showing the DSD’s commitment to these meetings.
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