Community Mobilisation and Social Partnership

Community Mobilisation and Social Partnerships

1. The existing situation

_ Government policy documents such as White Papers and the RDP articulate and important role for participation of communities and the critical importance of partnerships. However, realizing this in reality has been difficult due to lack of knowledge and experience of the sector by officials; accessing the tender system, setting aside of resources to enable the sector to engage. On the other hand, competition and conflict over resources, lack of knowledge and experience in working with government and time have been difficult for government.

_ The experience and understanding of partnership is often viewed only in monetory terms, as one sided i.e what government should do; seeking a ball between being a partner and playing an advocacy and watch dog role has been difficult; the government has had some difficulty, at a national level in ensuring it is engaging with reps of the sector and the national networks in a way are as direct result of this being communicated by government, through the then RDP office, to the sector.

_ The challenge, being addressed by the department is to reach organisations, located in poor, rural and under-serviced areas. This will be accelerated with the implementation of the financing policy.

_ At the legislative framework level, the split of the NPO Act is to recognise the sector as an important component of a democratic society, to support the development, to provide incentives to those who contribute to goals that have a public purpose.

2. Issues raised by Critical Evaluation of the Departments responses to this situation

_ A radical realization that policy agendas of developing countries, increasly concerned with promoting private development and partnerships. That partnerships challenge governments in their policies, regulatory frameworks, design and implementation of programmes. That they require a new range of skills of the public sector.

_ More needs to be done to understand that the sector is a critical institution in a democratic society and this must be reflected in work with the sector.

3. Agenda for transformation

_ At a legal framework level, the NPO Act, the NDA Act, the introducation of a State Lottering, the proposals for changes to tax provisions are all positive and encouraging to the sector.

_ Practice of a more radical and creative partnership is necessary.

_ There is need for the sector to be more pro active.