SANGONeT was founded in 1987, and over the past 21 years has developed into a dynamic NGO with a history closely linked to the social and political changes experienced by South Africa during this period.

SANGONeT is the only Southern African NGO dedicated to providing an extensive range of ICT services to the local NGO sector. It was the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) established in South Africa, and is one of very few NGOs in Africa involved in ICT-related issues, as well as providing such services dedicated to the broader NGO sector. It is therefore a unique organisation with a proud service delivery track record. SANGONeT continues to receive extensive local and international recognition for its achievements.

SANGONeT views ICTs as valuable tools that can build the capacity of NGOs and other development agencies, as well as the communities that they serve. Its work is customised to support both those who are exploring the possibility of using the Internet and those who already have ICTs in place, but are not using them to their full potential.

SANGONeT’s services and interventions continue to be shaped by the challenge of strengthening the capacity of NGOs in finding long-term and sustainable solutions in response to Southern Africa’s development problems. NGOs’ capacity for service delivery increasingly requires that attention be given to their ability to integrate ICTs into 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.

SANGONeT's vision is to be a strategic leadership organisation influencing social transformation through ICTs. It strives to contribute to a just, equitable and prosperous Southern African society, where the impact and contribution of sustainable development programmes are supported by appropriate, relevant and affordable ICT solutions.

SANGONeT's mission is to support the effective use of ICTs in Southern African NGOs by providing quality services and initiatives. It exists for the purpose of facilitating access, sharing information, building capacity, raising awareness, enhancing reach and impact, and linking people and organisations through the use of ICTs in Southern Africa.

Strategic Activities

During the past three years SANGONeT has conceptualised and implemented the following important new ICT initiatives in support of the NGO sector:

• Thetha: The SANGONeT ICT Discussion Forum - launched in March 2003, Thetha forums provide NGOs with the opportunity to discuss ICT issues of common concern at both provincial and national levels. SANGONeT has already organised more than 20 Thetha forums in South Africa, and in 2006 expanded this initiative to five Southern African countries (www.sangonet.org.za/thetha).
• SANGONeT “ICTs for Civil Society” Conference and Exhibition - this annual event, first held in March 2005, presents NGOs with an important opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities presented by ICTs in support of their work. The most recent event was held from 17-18 July 2007 in Johannesburg. (www.sangonet.org.za/conference2007). The next event, MobileActive08, will be held from 13-15 October 2008 in Johannesburg.
• SANGONeT NGO and Development Information Portal - launched in October 2005, this portal provides a gateway to the South African NGO sector. It includes the PRODDER NGO and Development Directory (www.sangonet.org.za / www.prodder.org.za).
• SANGOTeCH - this online technology donation portal, launched in December 2006, aims to assist NGOs by providing software and hardware for very low or discounted fees in conjunction with ICT donor partners, as well as by supporting NGOs to maximise their ICT purchases and infrastructure (www.sangotech.org). 
• South African NGO Web Awards - first held in 2006, this annual competition is run in conjunction with the SANGONeT Conference and aims to raise awareness among NGOs about the benefits of having a web presence, stimulate interest in the application of web solutions and applications, and showcase best practices in website creation and maintenance.
• The State of ICTs in the South African NGO Sector - this annual research project, first implemented in 2007, aims to analyse the South African NGO sector’s application and awareness of ICTs in support of achieving its strategic objectives. The outcomes of the project will inform and guide the development of SANGONeT’s future ICT products and services for the NGO sector, and assist NGOs, funders and other strategic stakeholders in understanding the role and relevance of ICTs in support of the sector (www.sangotech.org/ict-survey).
• Civic Journalism in Africa project - this three-year project, implemented in conjunction with Hivos in six African countries, aims to improve the technical and journalistic capacity of African NGOs to use a mixture of traditional and digital media strategically and with journalistic professionalism to support democratic processes and a diverse and independent media environment (www.citizenjournalismafrica.org).
• BackaBuddy - launched by EasiGiving in early 2008, and implemented in partnership with SANGONeT, this online fundraising website combines the power of sport and the reach of the Internet in support of NGOs in South Africa. This project also provides SANGONeT with an opportunity to promote and showcase the strategic benefits of the Internet to NGOs (www.backabuddy.co.za).
• The ongoing challenge facing SANGONeT is to strengthen its role and contribution through the relevance of its products and services, customising its ICT services to the specific needs of the NGO sector; improving its interaction, relationship and response to the needs of current and potential NGO clients; building relationships and partnerships with strategic roleplayers in the NGO, government and private sectors; and to provide leadership and guidance to NGOs as far as ICT issues are concerned.

  Refer to http://www.sangonet.org.za for more information about SANGONeT’s activities.