During the past few years the South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector has experienced dramatic changes. The funding and related crises experienced by NGOs in the 1990s have been well documented. Many NGOs were forced to close down because of a lack of funding and related organisational problems.
The critical challenge which continues to confront many NGOs relates to their capacity to make a fundamental contribution to finding long-term and sustainable solutions to South Africa’s development problems.
In this regard the strengthening of NGOs’ capacity for service delivery increasingly requires that attention be given to their ability to use, manage and implement as well as integrate ICTs as part of their activities. Although many South African NGOs are already active users of ICTs, much more needs to be done to build the capacity of the sector in this regard.
SANGONeT is currently in the process of establishing various new partnership and brokering arrangements in support of its ICT service delivery activities and services to the South African NGO sector.
To assist SANGONeT in developing these ICT services, we would like to invite you to a Thetha on "Survival & Prosperity in the NGO Sector – The Role of Technology in Strengthening Organisational Capacity."
You are encouraged to assess your ICT needs in preparation for this Thetha, and to bring this information with you to share with other participants. Information of specific interest to SANGONeT include your organisation’s ICT capacity (number of computers, printers, etc.), skills, applications and contributions to your activities, annual ICT budget, services providers, and specific needs and requirements which require attention and support.
In March 2003 the Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) launched Thetha:
The SANGONeT ICT Discussion Forum. This initiative aims to provide civil
society organisations with an opportunity to discuss information
communication technology (ICT) issues of common concern and to learn from
one another’s experiences.
The next Thetha will be held on Tuesday, 6 April 2004, from 09h00-13h00 at SANGONeT’s new offices at 76 Juta Street in Braamfontein. If you are interested in participating in the Thetha, please contact Martha Thibedi or Refilwe Rakhibane at SANGONeT before 2 April 2004.
