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Transformation Charter Print E-mail
The Department of Social Development and the NPO sector commit to strive for a transformed social service sector in the Gauteng Province. In the spirit of the Transformation Charter we seek to:
  • transform services in which historical patterns of exclusion may still be evident
  • promote accessible, equitable, affordable and sustainable quality social welfare services in Gauteng
  • address staff turnover and develop and maintain strong capacity and skills in the NPO sector and the Department for efficient and effective social service delivery
  • ensure that the NPO sector has a sound and dependable funding base, subject to available resources
  • encourage good organizational governance that is inclusive, efficient, transparent and accountable and promotes community participation
  • establish credible, efficient and sustainable NPOs in previously disadvantaged areas, where this is the course of action best suited to the needs of the communities concerned,
  • cooperate in finding ways to ensure that poverty does not exclude people from access to needed services.
  • where there are gaps or inadequacies in service, cooperate in finding ways to address these.
PREAMBLE

Noting:
  • that the social development sector inherited a fragmented and inequitable welfare system;
  • that services for whites were better funded and had significantly better infrastructure than those for blacks;
  • that  disadvantaged communities were totally disempowered and extremely poorly funded;
  • that post-apartheid South Africa is still emerging from decades of discrimination;
  • that as a result of the country’s apartheid past and current realities there is a huge backlog of services for the poor and vulnerable which presents significant delivery challenges for the social welfare sector; and
  • that, not withstanding the significant progress made since the establishment of a democratic government in 1994, the majority of the citizens of South Africa are still exposed to various social inequities and abject poverty;
and further noting
  • that these inequalities pose challenges to the upliftment of the socioeconomic conditions of the most vulnerable communities and undermine the imperative of “a better life for all”;
we, the Department of Social Development and civil society organisations delivering social welfare services in Gauteng hereby declare the Transformation Charter as an instrument for redress, inculcating respect, care, protection and empowerment of poor, marginalised  and vulnerable people in our province.

VALUE STATEMENT
We the Department of Social Development in partnership with the NPO sector:
  • recognize the need to strive at all times to work together in harmony to better the lives of the citizens of the Gauteng Province;.
  • believe that every human being has the potential for development, and
  • will endeavour to serve the people of our province with respect, and to uphold their dignity and integrity.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
We declare, guided by the South African Constitution, that under this Charter the following principles shall be the hallmark of our social welfare system:

NON-DISCRIMINATION:   
Unfair discrimination, in whatever form, shall not be tolerated. Deviations shall be sanctioned, in accordance with applicable statute.

EQUITABLE ACCESS:
Equitable distribution of public resources must be ensured, with due attention to race, gender, geographic area (including formal and informal settlements), special needs and other considerations. NPOs will to the full extent of their capacity assist government in meeting the social welfare needs of the population of the province. The assistance of the private sector and other funding sources will be actively enlisted, and government will strive to facilitate the relationship between NPOs and the business sector.

ACCOUNTABILITY: 
Compliance with all legislation, policy and financial regulations shall be expected of all NPO recipients awarded funding by the Department. NPOs will be fully consulted in the development and improvement of the applicable legislation, policy and regulations.

AFFORDABILITY:
No one must be excluded on the basis of inability to pay for the services. Government, NPOs and other partners will cooperate to find ways of achieving this.

APPROPRIATENESS: 
The Department and NPOs will strive to achieve an appropriate balance between generic and specialist services, and holistic and multidimensional interventions must be promoted within a developmental approach to policy and practice.
 
Services must be responsive to social, economic, cultural and indigenous and political needs. Diversity must be acknowledged and accommodated, not ignored and stifled.
If there are some services that incorporate a particular religious or cultural approach, these will be integrated in a broader service system in which the needs of all groups are catered for. 

EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS: 
The most cost-effective and efficient route should be adopted to achieve objectives. In a climate of poverty, available resources must be targeted to the needs of the population. An ethos of hard work and commitment must prevail.

EMPOWERMENT:
Previously disadvantaged organizations should be prioritized for empowerment and capacity-building. At the same time established organisations serving poor, vulnerable and marginalized people will receive appropriate support. The Department and NPOs will develop a joint strategy to achieve these purposes.

PARTICIPATION:   
Organisations will use appropriate measures to promote the involvement of clients, staff, stakeholders and community representatives in organizational programme and policy design and management.

PARTNERSHIP
Partnerships must be fostered with relevant stakeholders, including communities, to optimize service delivery. 

SOCIAL INTEGRATION
Policies and programmes must promote social justice.

TRANSPARENCY
The Department and its NPO partners will ensure appropriate access to information - within an appropriate ethical framework – as well as openness of administration and management.

GOVERNANCE:
It is recognised that governance involves not a single institution but the participation of multiple stakeholders, viz. the Department and non-profit organisations - including faith-based organizations and community-based organisations. The Charter will therefore be promoted and implemented through:
  • Participation
  • Transparency
  • Responsiveness
  • Equity
  • Effectiveness and efficiency, and
  • Accountability.


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