by Ntsiki Mpulo, Head of Communications, SECTION27 South African civil society organisations have a strong history of successfully challenging the status quo to the benefit of broader society. One of the most notable examples is the United Democratic Front, a coalition of anti-apartheid organisations, which fought within the country’s borders to overthrow the illegitimate Apartheid... Continue Reading →
SECTION27 – Catalysts for social justice
SECTION27 is a public interest law centre that focuses on access to health care services and other socio-economic rights in South Africa. It combines research, advocacy and legal action to improve the socio-economic conditions that undermine human dignity and development, prevent poor people from reaching their full potential and lead to the spread of diseases... Continue Reading →
ActionAid South Africa – Fighting poverty, inequality and injustice
ActionAid South Africa (AASA), part of an international non-governmental organisation operating in 45 countries, has worked in collaboration with local organizations in five provinces since 2006 to advance a society free from poverty, inequality, and injustice. AASA believes in creating a world that works for us all. This means ensuring rights become a reality for... Continue Reading →
In defence of NGOs, incubators of future leaders
by Dr Shuaib Manjra NGOs attract skilled individuals committed to progressive causes at great personal sacrifice. Furthermore, NGOs serve to incubate future leaders... In our broken, grotesquely unequal and multiply wounded society these NGOs have been the glue that enormously contributes to our society’s continued integrity and survival, and provide much needed hope. The NGO... Continue Reading →
Soul City Institute – A passionate commitment to social justice
On 11 August 2016, the Soul City Institute (SCI) was relaunched as a feminist and social justice organisation that focusses on young women and girls and the communities they live in. Although South Africa enjoys one of the world’s most visionary constitutions and comprehensive bill of rights, the country remains a deeply patriarchal society, where... Continue Reading →
Torsten Koehler and Love Your Nuts – Awareness saves lives!
In 1995, while in his thirties, Torsten Koehler was diagnosed with testicular cancer, ironically whilst educating young teenagers about sex education at a school where he was employed as a teacher. His journey of survival started by openly confronting his thoughts and emotions, relating the reactions of his friends, family and not least, his students,... Continue Reading →
Current and expected future challenges facing NGOs in South Africa
by Dr Rama Naidu, Executive Director, Democracy Development Program South Africa no longer a priority for donor funding South Africa is no longer considered a priority area for funders and money is being channeled directly to Government through bi-laterals. There is a mistaken notion that democracy is fully consolidated in South Africa and that support... Continue Reading →
WWF South Africa – for nature, for you
In 1961, the World Wildlife Fund was founded as an international organization in Switzerland. As its focus widened over the decades from wildlife to the environment as a whole, the international name changed in 1986 to WWF – the World Wide Fund for Nature (although Canada and the US retained the old name). This more... Continue Reading →
loveLife – Influencing positive behavioural change
The New loveLife Trust, also known as loveLife, was established in 1999 as a joint initiative of leading South African NGOs, private foundations, and the South African government. Its initial mandate was to reduce new HIV infections and unplanned pregnancies among young people aged 15-24 years by half within a five-year period. As the organisation... Continue Reading →
Non-profits and financial sustainability in South Africa
by Shelagh Gastrow, Founder and Director, GastrowBloch Philanthropies There are more than 150 000 non-profit organisations registered with the South African Department of Social Development. This explosion of organisations has resulted in on-going pressure for funding. Whilst funding crises are the normal situation for many non-profits, it is important for them to make plans for... Continue Reading →