Lwati March 2008, Number 45

* LWATI *

The monthly e-newsletter of the Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT)

March 2008, Number 45

http://www.sangonet.org.za

"Lwati" is an isiSwati word meaning information.

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<> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
<> CIVIL SOCIETY INFORMATION
<> ICT SERVICES
<> NETWORKING AND OUTREACH
<> VACANCIES
<> CONTACT DETAILS

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<> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

Welcome to the 45th edition of SANGONeT´s monthly e-newsletter!

The development of technology solutions and services in support of the work of NGOs is a rapidly expanding international field of operation.

The world continues to experience dramatic technology innovation and changes, impacting on every dimension of human and organisational behaviour and activities. As a result, the strengthening of NGOs’ capacity for service delivery, networking and advocacy activities, increasingly requires that attention be given to their ability to implement and integrate technology as part of their core activities.

SANGONeT has introduced a number of interventions in recent years aimed at raising awareness amongst NGOs in Southern Africa about the strategic value of technology. Some of these interventions include the Regional Thetha ICT Discussion Forum, annual SANGONeT “ICTs for Civil Society” Conference and the SANGOTeCH Technology Donation Portal.

Ultimately, the aim is to expose NGOs to new technology developments, practical applications and best practices that will result in increased investment in NGOs’ technology infrastructure and skills, and as a result, enhance their development impact.

During the past week I attended the annual Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in New Orleans. Organised by the US-based Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (N-Ten), this event attracted almost 1 200 participants from the nonprofit sector and other stakeholder groups actively involved in supporting nonprofit organisations in the United States and other parts of the world with technology solutions and services.

I have regularly attended the NTC for the past few years as this event provides a strategic opportunity to gain insight into new developments in the nonprofit technology field that might be of relevance to SANGONeT’s work in support of NGOs in Southern Africa.

One of the sessions at the 2008 NTC focussed on “Changing Your CEO from Barrier to Partner”. It highlighted the important role that CEOs and boards have to play in the successful alignment and use of technology in NGOs. This topic is of specific interest to the work of SANGONeT as it is the leadership in the NGO sector that needs to recognise the value and importance of technology and ultimately, influence internal decision-making and budget priorities accordingly.

To support this process amongst local NGO leaders, SANGONeT hosted an NGO CEO Circle on 13 March 2008 in Johannesburg which focussed on current and expected changes in the local ICT environment, and how these changes might impact on the NGO sector. Arthur Goldstuck, South Africa's top ICT analyst and commentator, was the guest speaker at the meeting.

Looking ahead, another event that will offer NGOs an important opportunity to gain insights into technology developments of direct relevance to their work is the fourth annual SANGONeT “ICTs for Civil Society” conference which will be held from 13-15 October 2008 Johannesburg. This year’s event will be co-hosted with MobileActive.org and branded as “MobileActive08”.

The theme of the 2008 event is "Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact”.

The three-day conference will convene approximately 250 civil society, development and technology practitioners interested in the use and application of mobile technology in support of social impact. Participants will include NGO practitioners using mobile phones in innovative and creative ways or considering mobile applications in support of their activities, mobile technologists, researchers studying the use of mobile phones, government officials, donors and representatives from the telecommunications industry.

This will be the largest international civil society event to date focusing on this topic.

The conference website, covering detailed information about the event, will be available by early April 2008.

As far as other SANGONeT initiatives are concerned, we are launching two new services today, namely SANGOTeCH Botswana (http://www.sangotech.org/botswana) and the beta version of the new online Prodder Directory (http://beta.prodder.org.za). More information about these services is included in the newsletter.

As always, we are very interested in how you think we could best serve the NGO sector with relevant ICT products and services. Please send us your views, comments and suggestions.

Best wishes

David Barnard (dbarnard@sangonet.org.za)

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<> CIVIL SOCIETY INFORMATION (CSI) PROGRAMME

# SANGONeT NGO Portal

The 2008/9 National Budget was presented by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on 20 February 2008 in Cape Town. Given the role of the Budget in highlighting national development spending priorities, SANGONeT approached various NGOs for their response to the budget in general, as well as specific issues of direct interest to their work.

Responses were received from 17 prominent NGOs, including Black Sash, Centre for Policy Studies, Community Development Resource Association, Democracy Development Programme, Eastern Cape NGO Coalition, Ecumenical Service for Socio-Economic Transformation, FinMark Trust, Gun Free South Africa, Helen Suzman Foundation, Human Rights Institute of South Africa, Institute for Democracy in South Africa, Johannesburg Child Welfare Society, Legal Resources Centre, Participation Junction, Peoples Budget Coalition, Planact and Umcebo Trust.

To read the various responses, please refer to:

http://www.sangonet.org.za/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8903&Itemid=1

During February 2008 the portal also covered various articles dealing with HR issues in the NGO sector. One article that generated significant interest focussed on salaries in the NGO sector. Written by accredited Remunerations Specialist, Averile Ryder, she stressed the importance of paying salaries in accordance with the correct market value of the job category. Ryder argues that NGOs need to realise that salaries are a critical component of their human resources strategies.

To read this article, please refer to:

http://www.sangonet.org.za/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8849&Itemid=1

Based on this article, the February 2008 poll aimed to determine if South African NGOs overwork and underpay their staff.

The results of the poll, which was taken by 294 voters, are as follow:

• 49% (144 voters) Yes, to a significant degree
• 40.1% (118 voters) Not at all
• 10.9% (32 Voters) To some extent

Other key articles produced by the CSI team during February 2008 include the following:

HR Management for the NGO Sector

Effective People Development in a Non-Profit Organisation

Gender and Human Rights in SA

Eskom’s War on the Poor

Development Coaching

Making the Development Worker More Effective

For more information about the SANGONeT NGO Portal, please contact Butjwana Seokoma at SANGONeT on Tel: (011) 403-4935 or butjwana@sangonet.org.za.

# Prodder Online Directory

The new online version of Prodder is launched as a 'beta' today. The new Prodder has been developed on the open source Drupal/CiviCRM platform and will see a number of new features introduced in coming weeks. Information collected for the 2008 Prodder Book has been included in the new platform. Both the current version of Prodder (http://www.prodder.org.za) and the new beta version will be available concurrently for a number of weeks.

The beta version is available at - http://beta.prodder.org.za.

We encourage NGOs and visitors to the portal to review their entries and forward us information about changes and corrections that need to be made. Any feedback about the new platform in general, including additional features and information to be added, would also be appreciated.

Please forward your comments to - prodder@sangonet.org.za.

# Prodder - NGOs and Development in South Africa 2008

The 2008 Prodder directory is available from SANGONeT’s office in Braamfontein.

To order your copy, please refer to the information about the book on http://www.prodder.org.za or send an e-mail to prodder@sangonet.org.za, specifying your interest to order the book (R350 VAT inclusive plus R35 postage).

# SN-Announce

SN-Announce is an e-mail advertising service that provides an invaluable service to the NGO sector in Southern Africa. With a potential readership of more than 10 000 people, it remains one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to reach non-profit organisations, development practitioners, funders and others working in the development sector.

All members of the development sector can advertise on SN-Announce. The type of information distributed includes alerts for vacancies, events, campaign launches, conferences, meetings and services for the development sector. Subscription to the SN-Announce service is free.

Refer to http://www.sangonet.org.za for copies of past announcements.

For more information about how to subscribe to SN-Announce or post an announcement, please contact Neila Pillay at SANGONeT on (011) 403-4935 or neila@sangonet.org.za.

# SANGONeT Development Calendar 2008

SANGONeT has once again compiled an annual Development Calendar. Produced in the form of a year planner, it covers a comprehensive list of international, African and South African dates (e.g. World AIDS Day, 1 December) of significance to people involved in development and civil society issues.

Copies of the calendar are available for collection from the SANGONeT office in Braamfontein.

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<> ICT SERVICES

# SANGOTeCH Online Technology Donations Portal

SANGOTeCH assisted South African NGOs in saving over R1.4 million on their purchases of Microsoft software, as well as over R20 000 on Cisco networking equipment, during the latter half of February and the first few weeks of March 2008.

To see how the AIDS Consortium and the South African Graduates Development Association have benefited from the SANGOTeCH programme, refer to http://www.sangotech.org/case-study/aidsconsortium and http://www.sangotech.org/case-study/sagda.

We are also pleased to announce a new product which will be available by the end of March 2008. Bytes of Learning’s Typing Tutor is a leading keyboard skills training package aimed at both children and adult learners. A 5-workstation license will be available through SANGOTeCH for approximately R100 - less than 10% of the retail price.

Mailshell Anti-Spam Desktop, a spam-filtering solution for Windows users, was launched in February 2008.

The SANGOTeCH product catalogue can be viewed at http://store.sangotech.org/directory

For more information about SANGOTeCH, as well as to receive regular updates about new products and services, please refer to http://www.sangotech.org or contact us on 086 110 6443 or support@sangotech.org

As of today, the SANGOTeCH programme is now also operating in Botswana. Donations of Microsoft software are available to qualifying Botswana non-profit organisations. A wider range of donor products will be added at a later stage.

For more information about the SANGOTeCH Botswana programme, please refer to http://www.sangotech.org.za/botswana.

# Citizen Journalism in Africa Project

SANGONeT and Hivos are collaborating on a project aimed at developing citizen journalism in Africa, with a specific focus on South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique.

During the last week of February 2008, 26 participants from civil society organisations in Zimbabwe participated in a workshop in Harare which focused on using new media tools to highlight issues key to their organisations. Working under difficult conditions - equipment and manuals were delayed at customs and participants from some organisations were detained by Zimbabwean security forces - the workshop nevertheless demonstrated the hunger and ability of civil society organisations in that country to use all forms of media to effect change.

The project moves to Tanzania in early April 2008 to train NGO trainers from Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda.

For more information about the project, please refer to http://www.citizenjournalismafrica.org

# Microsoft/USAASA Telecentre Training

SANGONeT is assisting Microsoft and the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) in the training and accreditation of telecentres. The project has already trained over 50 telecentre staff members to become trainers of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential Curriculum, as well as 10 people to become accredited assessors.

A further 15 telecentre staff members from Limpopo were trained in Polokwane over a three-week period in February 2008 by Solly Mashamaite, himself a graduate of the Microsoft/USAASA telecentre programme. Using Microsoft's Unlimited Potential material, the learners worked towards accredited courses in Computer Fundamentals, Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentations. In early March 2008 a further 15 telecentre staff members, this time from Gauteng, were trained by Ephraim Makofane, another graduate of the telecentre training programme.

# Technology Consulting

SANGONeT offers a range of customised online applications that include social networking portals, online directories, and constituent relationship management solutions. We also offer a linked technical support desk service.

For more information on how we can assist you, please contact Matthew de Gale at SANGONeT on Tel: (011) 403-4935 or matthew@sangonet.org.za

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<> NETWORKING AND OUTREACH

SANGONeT’s Information Coordinator, Butjwana Seokoma, attended the AIDS Portal National Information Sharing Workshop on 18 February 2008 in Johannesburg.

He also attended the launch of ‘Land Management and Democratic Governance in the City of Johannesburg’, a study by Planact and the Centre for Urban and Built Environment Studies, on 18 February 2008 in Johannesburg, as well as the launch of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index - Volume 2, on 27 February 2008 in Johannesburg.

<> VACANCIES

# SANGONeT e-Community Building Coordinator

Deadline: 11 April 2008

SANGONeT is looking for an e-Community Building Coordinator for its various online content projects, including the SANGONeT NGO and Development Information Portal (http://www.sangonet.org.za) and Citizen Journalism in Africa (http://www.citizenjournalismafrica.org).

These projects promote the use of digital and other media by participating organisations to share news and influence public debate. Key project components include formal and informal training, an online interactive e-learning platform, in-country peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and networking. They also provide civil society and the broader development sector with media platforms and strategic tools to disseminate, communicate and access information of relevance to the institutional capacity of civil society.

The ideal candidate should be passionate about the role and impact of information communication technologies (ICTs) in support of the work of civil society organisations. He/she should be interested in the use of "New Media" and social networking tools in achieving the goals of the mentioned portal projects.

The successful candidate will be required to manage and edit online content, manage online communities and partners, and identify and compile articles. He/she will work closely with SANGONeT's content and project partners and will be required to build strong relationships with the NGO sector at large.

Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification (or equivalent qualifications in Communication or Journalism)
• Well acquainted with the issues and skills related to civil journalism, media and ICT
• ExcellentICT skills especially in an online learning and knowledge sharing context
• Good web publishing and content management skills, including basic HTML knowledge
• Pro-active and results-based working style
• Excellent writing, communication and networking skills
• At least 2-3 years experience in an online environment
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Driver's licence, own car and flexibility to travel

Duties:

• Conceptualise, plan and prepare online content
• Aggregate content from different sources
• Assist in preparing e-learning content and tools
• Produce and edit news articles, features and newsflashes
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships
• Manage and encourage user relationships and feedback
• Plan and develop new NGO content services

This position will be based in Johannesburg.

A competitive remuneration package will be offered, commensurate with skills and experience.

SANGONeT offers the ideal candidate the opportunity to grow personally and professionally in a stable and stimulating work environment.

Please e-mail your application letter, curriculum vitae and supporting documents to info@sangonet.org.za.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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<> CONTACT DETAILS

SANGONeT
P O Box 31392
2017 Braamfontein
SOUTH AFRICA

29th Floor, UCS Building
209 Smit Street
Braamfontein

Tel: (+27) (11) 403-4935
Fax: (+27) (11) 403-0130
E-mail: newsletter@sangonet.org.za
WWW: http://www.sangonet.org.za

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CopyLeft. 2008. SANGONeT.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and modify this document. Please provide an acknowledgment to SANGONeT.

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