Lwati November 2007, Number 41

* LWATI *

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

November 2007, Number 41

http://www.sangonet.org.za

"Lwati" is an isiSwati word meaning information.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

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

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

<> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

Welcome to the 41st edition of SANGONeT´s monthly e-newsletter!

After an absence of six years, SANGONeT will launch the Prodder Directory in print format at a special function tonight in Johannesburg.

The re-introduction of the book coincides with the twentieth anniversary of both SANGONeT and Prodder. These two initiatives have been at the forefront of providing NGOs and other development stakeholders in Southern Africa with strategic development information resources over the past two decades.

Following its transfer from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), SANGONeT introduced Prodder (http://www.prodder.org.za) as an Internet-based information service in July 2005 in line with its strategic objective to strengthen the work of the local NGO sector through various information communication technology (ICT) interventions.

However, given the historical ICT constraints still experienced by many South African NGOs, and public demand for directory information in print format, this new book will complement SANGONeT´s online approach to disseminating NGO and development information.

Covering information about more than 2000 NGOs and other development organisations, the book also includes information about trends and developments in the South African NGO sector, highlights of the past year’s SANGONeT NGO Portal stories and the main findings from the “State of ICTs in the South African NGO Sector” research project.

A key feature of the book is the directory section which only covers information about organisations with their own websites. As a result, SANGONeT is using the book (offline medium) to raise awareness about NGOs’ online information resources.

The ultimate objective of the new book is to disseminate information about organisations and institutions involved in our country's development and raise awareness about their work. It provides a reference point for donors and other stakeholders that want to engage with the NGO sector, and maps the scope and scale of NGO activities throughout South Africa.

At the same time, the growth of Prodder is not only evident in its return to print, but will also be seen in new on-line developments which will be completed by early 2008. All the excitement around web 2.0 applications in supporting social networking and activism will be put to the test in the NGO sector as Prodder's new electronic platform will have the facility for NGOs to upload project reports and updates directly to their Prodder listings.

Furthermore, the new Prodder-online platform will include various other improved features, including its look and feel. The search functions will be more flexible and easier to use, search results will be easily navigated while the opportunity for supporting user notes and documents will be greatly expanded. Most of these changes are implemented as a result of user feedback received through on-line questionnaires and focus group discussions.

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)

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

<> CIVIL SOCIETY INFORMATION (CSI) PROGRAMME

# SANGONeT NGO Portal

The month of October was a very important month for the development sector as we observed the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October. This important calendar date provided NGOs with an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the struggle to eradicate poverty worldwide. In an effort to generate debate around this issue, the SANGONeT Portal featured articles urging people to stand up against poverty.

Moreover, the October poll question sought to determine the effectiveness of South African NGOs in eradicating poverty. Although some maintain that the sector can do more in this regard, the majority of the voters hold the view that NGOs are indeed playing a pivotal role in the struggle against poverty.

The response to the question was overwhelming, with 196 voters casting their votes as follows:

• 58.2% (114 votes) Yes, to a significant degree
• 35.7% (70 votes) They can do more
• 6.1% (12 votes) No, they are not

As always, the CSI team continued to produce relevant civil society and development-related content for the portal. Key articles produced during October 2007 include the following:

Why We Stand Up Against Poverty

Poverty Eradication and the Current Debates

Attacking Poverty from the Ground

Back to Basics Approach to Quality Education

Information is an Important Ingredient for Development

The SANGONeT Portal Turns Two

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

Prodder - NGOs and Development in South Africa 2008

The new Prodder directory is now 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 postage).

# SANGONeT Development Calendar 2008

SANGONeT is currently compiling its 2008 Development Calendar, which will once again be produced in the form of a year planner. The Calendar, to be released in January 2008, will cover 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.

If you know of any dates and events which should be included in the calendar, please forward the information by 7 December 2007 to info@sangonet.org.za.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

<> ICT SERVICES

# SANGOTeCH Online Technology Donations Portal

SANGOTeCH assisted South African NGOs in saving more than R500 000 in October 2007 as a result of the donated Microsoft software and Cisco solutions available through this initiative.

South African NGOs interested in ordering software available on SANGOTeCH should first check their general eligibility for the programme at http://www.sangotech.org/eligibility.

The 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

# Citizen Journalism Project: Training of Trainers

SANGONeT and Hivos are collaborating on a project aimed at developing Citizen Journalism in Africa. The first training session, aimed at civil society workers from South Africa and Zimbabwe with some experience in the constituent skills of citizen journalism, will be held from 26-30 November 2007 in Johannesburg. Participating organisations include Behind the Mask and Fahamu from South Africa, and MISA and Kubatana from Zimbabwe.

# Commonwealth Telecommunications Union Focus Group

SANGONeT hosted a multi-stakeholder focus group discussion of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Union on 24 October 2007 at its office in Braamfontein. The discussion focused on local content and new technologies, as well as opportunities for developmental and business interventions.

# 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

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

NETWORKING AND OUTREACH

The second CEO Circle of the year was held on 11 October 2007 at the AIDS Consortium in Braamfontein. Denise Hunt of the AIDS Consortium presented an overview of the Consortium's activities, the restructured South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the National Strategic Plan (NSP).

SANGONeT’s Executive Director, David Barnard, participated as a panelist in the Critical Thinking Forum, "Is the media ignoring half the population?”, organised by the Mail & Guardian and the Southern Africa Trust, on 17 October 2007 in Johannesburg.

SANGONeT’s Portal Editor, Badumile Duma, and Information Coordinator, Butjwana Seokoma, attended the National Poverty Conference, hosted by the National Development Agency (NDA) in collaboration with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), from 16-18 October 2007 in Johannesburg.

SANGONeT’s Executive Director, David Barnard, attended the “Investing in the Future and Drivers of Change Awards 2007” gala dinner, organised by the Mail & Guardian and Southern Africa Trust, on 25 October 2007 in Johannesburg.

He also attended the Department of Social Development’s Stakeholder Roundtable on 26 October 2007 in Pretoria, and participated in the Second Development Informatics Workshop, hosted by the School of IT at Monash South Africa, on 30 October 2007 at the Monash campus in Johannesburg.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

<> 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

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

CopyLeft. 2007. SANGONeT.

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

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

To subscribe to the SANGONeT Newsletter, simply send an e-mail message to sangonet-enewsletter-request@lists.sn.apc.org with the word 'Subscribe' in the subject line.

To unsubscribe, send an e-mail message to newsletter@sangonet.org.za with the word 'Unsubscribe' in the subject line.