Kate SkinnerFormed as a response to the crisis facing the SABC, the ‘Save our SABC’ campaign is part of the activities of a civil society coalition established in June 2008 to help resolve the crisis. A working group comprising the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI); Media Monitoring Project (MMP); Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-SA); National Consumers Forum; Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU); and a number of individuals including Justine Limpitlaw (a legal academic), Prof. Tawana Kupe (Dean of Humanities at Wits University) and Jeanette Minnie (a freedom of expression activist) is driving the campaign.

David BarnardRegister for MobileActive08With six weeks to go, excitement is building up for the MobileActive08 Summit (http://www.mobileactive08.org/).Hosted by SANGONeT and MobileActive.org from 13-15 October 2008 in Johannesburg, the theme of the event is “Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact”. This will be the largest international event to date focusing on this topic and is the only global gathering that is connecting leaders who are working at the convergence of civil society, mobile technology and social change.

Butjwana SeokomaThe South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) launched its first dialogue series on constitutional values on 22 August in Johannesburg. Held under the theme “Unity in Diversity: Promoting and Advancing Constitutional Values in South Africa”, representatives from government, human rights organisations and civil society came together to discuss constitutional values in a democratic society.

Julie Staub Over the last few years South Africa has suffered what has become commonly known as the ‘Brain Drain (http://www.hsrc.ac.za/Factsheet-7.phtml)’. Many people we have helped to educate have left our shores for what they believe to be a brighter future elsewhere. Consequently we have been left with a shortage of professionally qualified people in a number of key sectors.

Cornelias NcubeAll states, democratic or authoritarian, exist and govern by exercising political domination and force over citizens. In functioning democracies, however, the state’s political domination and force is ably regulated by strong and inclusive institutional structures and processes, respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights and a vibrant and independent civil society. Constitutionally, Zimbabwe is a democracy.

Nicole SenderayiThe Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) hosted a discussion forum aimed at identifying strategies to enhance citizen participation in collecting, reporting and disseminating information. The discussion forum formed part of MISA South Africa’s annual general meeting on 25 July 2008 in Johannesburg.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has announced the closure of the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) as of 31 December 2008.According to CCS Director, Prof Patrick Bond, he and his staff were summoned to a meeting on 30 July 2008 and advised the centre was being permanently closed at the end of the year. All CCS staff contracts, besides Bond's, would be terminated, with CCS’s good projects moved to the School for Development Studies at UKZN.

Ronald EglinAn interesting debate over new approaches to housing delivery has been going on within civil society circles. Much of this seems to revolve around the need for government to adopt a land-first approach in order to increase the pace of housing delivery across the country. The need for such a land-first approach is deemed more urgent now than ever before as landmark dates such as 2014, by which time government commits itself to “a nation free of slums”, approach.

Aleta ArmstrongAn honestly conversation about the problems facing NGOs today is long overdue. We are not making enough progress in our fight against poverty, hunger, AIDS and other challenges that our region faces. Why? Part of the problem is with how some NGOs operate, especially larger organisations. The other problem is with funding, as most donors work in a bureaucratic and inefficient way. Could we not start using some logic, honesty and commonsense and implement some new solutions?

Eric Richardson The role of an NGO leader involves much more than just ensuring that their organisations comply with all laws, policies and expectations. NGOs, for the most part, have been set up to have a positive impact on society, and so I believe that when necessary leaders should be “rebels” who can take on “the system” and be agents of change for good.Some years ago, while working as a lecturer at the Wits School of Education, a student of mine asked me why it was that so many school rebels seemed to have good leadership qualities.

David Barnard NGO leaders face extraordinary challenges which are very distinct from those faced by leaders in government and the private sector. They often function in isolated and unsupported circumstances, and are faced with a set of complex and interrelated challenges relating to NGOs’ social change mission, increased pressure for accountability and transparency, the need for unquestioned integrity and to maximise limited resources, and the ability to network and position their organisations in an uncertain external and political environment.

Ann Bown Founder’s Syndrome (FS) is not unique to the non-profit sector. In fact it exists in the business world and many other sectors including sports clubs, professional associations and even in political circles. This syndrome can be identified in a church choir or a multi-billion rand corporation. It is everywhere! Transitional leadership is difficult and fraught with challenges and this is often exacerbated by ‘founders’ who will not let go of what is perceived to be their ‘baby’. Diagnosing the ‘syndrome’ is not easy and even more difficult to accept and address when it exists in your organisation.

Thomas AlbertsWeb2.0 is a term thrown around a lot these days and it means many things to many people. There are, however, some common characteristics in its varied usage. Basically, web2.0 refers to the shift in focus from distribution of information through networks (the old ‘bookmark your favourites’ approach) to participation in the creation of information and networks.Examples of web2.0 technology are blogs, podcasts, social networking platforms, and RSS feeds. With web2.0 technology, you can run software applications over the internet, host your photo albums online or collaborate with colleagues on shared documents.

Trina DasGuptaSouth African youth have “got the message” regarding the need for HIV prevention. What continues to drive the epidemic, however, is not their disregard of the message, but rather their response to their circumstances. Many young people who leave school face an uncertain future and feel excluded from opportunity. And not surprisingly, half the lifetime risk of HIV infection among young women is crammed into just five years after leaving school [1].

Joni LightThe Online History Classroom is popularising and strengthening teaching of the South African history curriculum. Clearly, the integration of web-based learning components adds value to traditional education - both in terms of its development and improvement. The web and particularly web2.0 technologies are providing significant new functionality in transmitting information to students and teachers and providing forums for exchange. It is revolutionising some areas of study through increased opportunities for learning and alternative formats for information.

Butjwana Seokoma The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment hosted a two-day summit to look at the impact of rising costs of basic food on poverty, from 10-11 July 2008 in Johannesburg.Known as the Gauteng Food Summit, the event was attended by over 4 000 representatives from the provincial government, municipalities, community organisations, trade unions, and NGOs.

Archbishop Njongo NdunganeThe world, both rich and poor countries, is clearly facing multiple crises. Unfortunately it is poor people who suffer the most, suffering immensely from food price increases. We expected this year’s G8 summit to reflect the gravity and urgency of the situation globally, but more so in Africa. Rather we got more and more talk and zero practical, measurable and tangible commitments with set timelines.

By Butjwana SeokomaThe Film and Publication Board (FPB) has launched the Pro-Child website aimed at eliminating child pornography in South Africa. Through the ‘internet hotline’ the Pro-Child website provides the opportunity for members of the public to report and expose incidences of child sexual abuse images found on the Internet. The website is one of the key recommendations made at the recent Anti-Child Pornography Indaba in June.

By Joan van NiekerkThe Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, commonly referred to as the Sexual Offences Amendment Act came into effect in June 2008. Historically the reform process relating to this Act was initiated by concerns about the high levels of sexual abuse of children. The original reform process began in January 1998 when the then Minister of Justice, Dullah Omar, appointed a committee of experts to assist the South African Law Reform Commission with an investigation into and the drafting of further legislation to deal with “Sexual Offences On and By Children.”

Dr. Marjorie Jobson and Megan BantjesThe South African No Torture Consortium (SANTOC) was launched on 26 June 2008, International Day in Support of Survivors of Torture. The Consortium aims improve the impact and effectiveness of the torture rehabilitation sector. SANTOC is working to build a strong advocacy movement to pressure the South African government to criminalise torture and to adopt and ratify OPCAT, the Optional Protocol on the Convention Against Torture.