CHAPTER THREE
3.5 AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERSHIPIDEVELOPMENTAL WELFARE
3.4.4 PRIVATELY PRACTISING SOCIAL WORKERS
Social workers in private practice render services to those in society who can afford to pay for their services. In addition, organisations and institutions on occasion contract the services of social 'INOrkers in private practice.
The varied structure of welfare in South Africa encourages pluralism, diversity, . some elements of competition, and allows for some degree of choice by recipients.
3.5 AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
a. creating an environment in which nonprofit organisations can flourish;
b. establishing an administrative and regulatory framework within which nonprofit organisations can conduct their affairs;
c. encouraging nonprofit organisations to maintain adequate standards of governance, transparency and accountability and to improve these standards;
d. creating an environment within which the public may have access to information concerning registered non profit organisations; and
e. promoting a spirit of co-operation and shared responsibility within government and among donors and other interested persons in their dealings within nonprofit organisations.
The Bill will replace parts of the Fund Raising Act (Act No. 71 of 1997).
Registration of the organisation will be voluntary, based on the principle of free association. There has been a shift from government control and intervention to co-ordination. The Bill calls for the establishment of a directorate for non profit organisations. The directorate's responsibility concerns policy, legislation, and the management and implementation of such legislation. Its role is to include capacity building of organisations.
The NPO Bill is one of several initiatives in relation to the NPO sector. It does not address all the concerns of the public or the sector. However, it could be viewed as the critical first step to which further policies can be linked. (NGO Matters, VoL2, No. 11, 1997)
3.5.2 NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR CHAMBER (NEDLAC)
NEDLAC is the primary policy-making body for the promotion of economic growth and social equity. NEDLAC consists of Government, business, labour and a community constituency. The Minister of Labour co-ordinates the government's delegation in NEDLAC. NEDLAC is funded by the Department of Labour. NGOs
and the community are represented in the development chamber. This involvement illustrates the commitment of government to working together in establishing local-level partnerships for economic development. The inclusion of civil society vvll improve legitimate decision-making of government towards NEDLAC'S goals of promoting economic growth, participation in economic decision-making, and social equity. It could also be used as an indirect lobbying structure of the State.
3.5.3 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NDA) / TRANSITIONAL NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRUST (TNDT)
The Transitional National Development Trust is an interim development finance agency which works as part of the national development strategy towards the alleviation of poverty and its causeS. It does this by supporting organisations of civil society in their efforts to promote sustainable, people-centred development.
These services are intended to build the capacity of local groups to make effective, sustainable use of limited resources, and to create an environment which enables ordinary people to assume greater control over their lives (TNDT 1998). The TNDT was established in 1996 and is funded by the South African Government and the European Union. The process of establishing a permanent NDA was negotiated vvth all stakeholders. The. NDA vvll be regulated through the National Development Agency Act 108 of 1998.
3.5.4 CO-ORDINATING BODIES/NATIONAL FORUMS. NETWORKS
Several new structures have emerged as part of the attempt to rebuild civil sociely. These include NACOSS (National Councils of Social Services).
SANGOCO (South African NGO Coalition). and NWSSDF (National Welfare Social Service and Development Forum). All of them have representation on new Government welfare structures.
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3.5.3 SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS
The Government has directed the transfonmation of the Social Work Council into the SA Council for Social Service Professions. In keeping with the White Paper - in an effort to broaden the reach of social services - it has introduced new categories of social service workers to include new and established occupational groups with varying degrees of professional organisation. such as social workers.
child and youth care workers. probation workers, and community development workers. The requirements for the constitution of the Council ensures the inclusivity of civil society.
3.5.6 GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES
The WPSW has committed itself to the development of appropriate, legitimate.
transparent and effective governance structures at local, provincial and national levels, aimed at promoting and strengthening "the partnership between government, community and organisations in civil society and the private sector who are involved in the delivery of social services" (NICC 1997:6). The National Interim Consultative Committee on Developmental Social Services was inaugurated to offer, in addition to other responsibilities recommendations on a permanent structure which would consolidate the partnership between the State and civil society.
3.5.7 FINANCING POLICY (1999)
Financing of the non profit sector shows commitment by Ihe State to work in partnership with civil society. The financing policy now includes flexible and varied financing to encompass agencies that were previously not eligible for funding. This strategy may strengthen the relationship of the State with civil society. The following innovative options will be applied in combination or individually (Financing Policy 1999:24).
• The financing of differentiated services that an organisation offers on the various five levels on a continuum of care as discussed in Chapter One, page
• Funding a particular phase or component of a project will be considered.
• Grant financing may be considered where a programme is in the early stage of development and is unable to qualify for funding according to set criteria.
• Financing linked to specific project objectives may be considered where specific short-term projects form part of a broader service.
• Transfer of substantial funds where projects have proven credibility and are subject to a contract will enable the service to utilise the interest as additional income
• Financing may be linked to social assistance; for example, the administration of foster care grants.
• Government may outsource a service by means of a tender.
• Venture financing may be provided to start innovative new services.
• Government may also procure services from service providers.
This policy contains financing options which could facilitate the creation of networks among service providers and grassroots communities as the Department does not want to bus expertise to and from grassroots communities (Ned 1999:3).