| Western Cape Update |
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 Ball rolling for Western Cape roll-outThe wheels have finally been set in motion for the re-establishment of the Western Cape Provincial Welfare Forum. While other areas in the Western Cape are yet to act, representatives from various advice offices in the Metro region gathered on 7 February 2009 at the Bonteheuwel Multi-Purpose Hall to discuss its draft constitution – the first in many steps in setting up this crucial body. The Metro region’s body will form part of the Western Cape leg of the National Welfare Social Service and Development Forum. The Forum – established in 1994 – acts as a representative organisation for affiliate member groups working across the development spectrum in South Africa. They provide support and co-ordination in the areas of policy engagement and lobbying, human rights advocacy, resource mobilisation and capacity building to ensure an effective developmental social welfare system. Brian Alcock, acting chairman for the Metro region, says that it is vital to get the forum up and running as soon as possible. “We need to make sure that more people, and especially NGOs in the region, can benefit from the capacity building, guidance and potential sustainability offered by the Forum and that there is somewhere they can go for support,” he says. “As soon as the Metro region is operational, we can also carry it into other areas of the Western Cape which will render a greater outcome.” A working committee has been elected to help facilitate the development of the body. They are Brian Alcock, Lucille February, Nadima Anderson and Patrick Rudolph – all from different areas within the Metro region. Suggested amendments to the draft constitution were also brought forward at the meeting. Once finalised, the document will be submitted through the appropriate channels for approval. In the meantime meetings will be held in other areas in the region to attract new members and inform them of the Forum’s agenda. “Unfortunately the previously appointed committee did not succeed, so we’ve had to start from scratch,” says Brian. “However, by taking the lead hopefully other regions in the Western Cape will also come to the table so that we can collectively start the structure and start operating in the areas that need it most.” If everything runs according to plan, Brian hopes that the Metro region – consisting of members from Bonteheuwel, Athlone, Heideveld, Khayelitsha, Elsie’s River, Mitchells Plain, Langa and Gugulethu – will be established by latest May 2009. Bookmark this article:          |
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