Inselelo November 2012 - Diakonia Council of Churches

INSELELO NOVEMBER 2012 - PG 10Advocacy groups shareexperiencesseventy members of four advocacy groups fromNsimbini, Luganda, Molweni and Clermonton 29 August.gathered in Clermont for a joint advocacy meeting,The purpose of the meeting was to share information andexperiences on lobbying and advocacy for change, as well asactive citizenry, with a view to deepen democracy in theircommunities. The meeting provided an opportunity forbeneficiaries to share their experiences, and how bottlenecksin community development could be avoided.In his keynote address, Sithembiso Madlala, anindependent consultant, spoke about the concepts of lobbyingand advocacy and then moved to the practical activities of bothconcepts.Also on the panel, was Bongi Sibiya from the Department ofSocial Development who provided information on how to applyand register for NPO status. She gave delegates a perspectiveon social grants and how they could be assessed.SHGs celebrate independenceAbout 200 members from the various Self HelpGroups (SHGs) gathered at Umzinyathi to celebratethe independence of twenty two groups,on 24 August.Also in attendance were new members who recentlyadopted the concept, as well as community members, churchleaders and the local Chief Ngcobo's wife.Inkosi Khumalo from KwaBhulushe at Amatata, sent amessage of support affirming the SHGs for the good work theyare doing in his area, and encouraging them to take the conceptto other poor areas of the province.Testimonies of how their lives have changed since theyjoined the groups were shared at the ceremony. Theindependent groups shared that they no longer depend onDiakonia for designing their projects, implementing them andlooking for markets for their products.They informed the gathering that they are getting substantialorders for their products from different customers, and that theynetwork with other people from other organisations. One of thegroups shared that they opened a traditional outfit market atone of their member's house and that they no longer buy fromthe shops some items for household use, such as jam and floorpolish, because they make the stuff themselves.Meanwhile, the SHG concept was introduced to Samungu,Molweni, Emaus, Nazareth and Klaarwater. All these are areasin the Methodist Clerpine Circuit. These groups are guided bythe community facilitators who were trained by Diakonia.Delegates share ideas in groups.“The meeting was a success because we were able toshare our stories,” remarked Nosipho Mjoka from Nsimbini.“We need more meetings like these for us to know whatother advocacy groups are doing in their areas,” said HlengiweMakhathini from Clermont.The purpose of advocacy groups is to mobilise localchurches and communities to advocate for better and effectiveservice delivery.R150 + R25 forpostage (SA only)Contact Hester Joseph:+27 31 310 3521+27 83 7994136This new, abridgedversion of Guardian ofthe Light tells the storyof how Hurley becamethe youngest Catholicbishop in the world at 31,his fearless criticism ofapartheid, denouncingit as 'blasphemy' and'intrinsically evil' andbeing regarded as oneof South Africa's 'mostwanted' politicalopponents and how hecontinued to work asa parish priest well intohis eighties.“Archbishop Hurley was one of our greatest South Africans.This biography reveals what gave him that stature – his integrity,fearlessness, gentleness of spirit and his magnanimity.It is a must-read for all of us.” - Desmond Tutu.