Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which are doing incredible work to address challenges that communities face, met in Philippi to create platform which would enable them to work safely – and together.
Representatives of the NGOs noted that while they were fighting for the same cause, they were concerned that they were not together in the fight.
Among the organisations which attended the meeting on Thursday September 22, were Mosaic, the South African Police Services, the Lugongolo Foundation, Tswaranang, Traditional leaders, community policing forums and Golden Cloud.
One of the organisers, Thembani Dyule, said the platform was created because sometimes there is a need to address an issue that another organisation is also addressing.
“We sometimes go out to the community with ideas that another organisation has. But we felt if we want to have a chance of addressing the challenges facing our community, then we must work out how to work together more effectively. That is why we today have met here,” he told Vukani
Mr Dyule said the core value of the initiative would be to discuss essential services and consult each other before going out to the community.
The organisations would now be working together to hold meetings and plan their community programmes.
Beyond this, the initiative seeks to highlight the particular issues faced by the organisations in their respective areas.
Ronel Stevens from Mosaic said they had been working with other organisations, but had not been discussing some of the programmes together.
“These organisations are doing a great job but sometimes you will find out they are doing a similar programme. These are just some of the things we want to avoid doing. The safe platform will create such a space. The idea is there are many challenges but we are not all working together. We will have regular meetings and have action plans. But our meeting is not a one-day fix.”
She commended the organisation for taking the bull by its horns and working in an environment where their lives were sometimes in danger.