150 The following variables were identified as being influential in the organisation’s attempts to remain apolitical:
Table 4-8: Variables identified as influencing the organisation’s attempts to remain apolitical Attempts to remain apolitical
Discomfort of partners Funding
Reputation Credibility
151 affiliates. The relative degree of the country’s development and the perception of it as“economically prosperous” influences donors and affiliates to channel less funding towards the Oxfam affiliates in South Africa. However, this depicted ignorance of the high levels of poverty and inequality still present in the country:
“Half of the countries where Oxfam has programmes in Southern Africa region are no longer considered as low-income country. A number of donors have been withdrawing and/or reducing the amount of funding available especially for those countries like Zambia, Angola and South Africa which are now categorized as middle income in the region. The recent evidence was the announcement by the British International Development Agency (DFID) that it will end the UK’s direct aid to South Africa in 2015.”
(Kim, 2014, p. 17)
“It is the perception or reality that South Africa is a middle income country is a factor because everyone thinks that there is no need for additional resources to champion or advance developmental causes.” (Int.1)
"They see SA as a middle income country and think that they have got enough resources which means NPOs might get much less I think. The same with the EU (European Union) you know, they planning to, in the next few years to not really invest money in SA so these things play a role because it leads to your funding basis being reduced and then you need to start looking for alternatives and so it is a major bearing on sustainability." (Int.2)
"How do we live within these two ambiguities and still influence what is happening for the better of all South Africans? I've seen sometimes when we are looking for United Nation(UN) resources, we will find that South Africa is excluded on the basis of either we are a developed or an undeveloped country...With so much high levels of inequality, do we still see ourselves as a developing country or a country that has developed? Where are we…because depending on where you sit in SA you will have a different experience." (Int.3)
152 4.10.2 The influence of the economic recession on funding
The influence of the economic recession in drastically reducing funding pools both locally and internationally was cited as an important variable influencing the sustainability of Oxfam affiliates throughout the world. Therefore, Oxfam affiliates were forced to do more, but with less financial resources at their disposal. Funding fron international donors, funders and affiliates was reduced as the impact of the recession was felt throughout the world, even by individual donors who were more likey to use their personal income for survival, rather than on making donations to NPOs. Oxfam affiliates also received less Unrestricted Funding or funding that carries no stipulations with regard as to how it must be used. The result of all these budget and funding reductions was a greater need and desire to be innovative with regards to finding alternative means and methods of raising funds for the organisation.
“Global economic instability since 2008 has continued to bite most European countries, US and other continents including Africa. This has led to a shrinking in funding available to civil society, including the Southern Africa region.
International aid has been in a declining state as a result.
“More precisley, international aid and financial assistance from the donor countries that have been affected by the financial and economic crisis fell by 20 to 25 percent and will bottom out only in the next decade after the crisis hits.”
(Kim, 2014, p. 17)
“…but also unfortunately when there is an economic recession it means less resources being channelled towards essential services, less development, official development assistance gets channelled away…so it means more work for Oxfam with less resources.”(Int.1)
“That influences sustainability, so for me one would be the economic environment.
The economy influences how much people are able to give as individuals, but also as governments, you know a lot of European governments are in a major financial crisis themselves for example, and have cut down on funding by about fifty percent because they do not have the money.” (Int.2)
153
“…the non-ending recession that is happening everywhere, we are seeing almost a 20-30 percent cut from the pots, the unrestricted pots. It is a reality that we are currently dealing with. Oxfam is trying to look at different models. In fact, they opened up a competition to ask all staff to send their ideas on how we can save some of the resources that we have and what will be the new working models…and some people came up with some very bright ideas…People tend to look at ‘Do I have enough for the month?’ whereas before, people would just donate anyway, it is a reality that we have to live with on a daily basis.” (Int.3)
4.10.3 Political Influences
The political environment in South Africa was cited as being highly influential on the operation of Oxfam affiliates in the country. It was acknowledged that the types of political actors they networked with would influence how they were perceived by the general South African public, with perceptions being that they would be influenced by the political actors that they received funding from.
“The donor fund is dwindling very quickly. The Government is taking over a huge amount of the international money; then you either decide as an organisation, do you apply to government? But there is the issue that when you apply to Government as well, because the more money you get from them, the more you are giving them a leeway and they can take you over.” (Int.6)
However, it remained important for them to attempt to be apolitical in the sense of not siding with any one political party or position, and to remain commited to their vision, mission and purpose. However, it was acknowledged that trying to find a middle ground between those who are against the government and those who support it, seemed the most ideal position, but remains a complicated endeavour especially since the political sphere exerts such a strong influence.
Another complicated issue that was recognised was the fact that while they acknowledged that aligning to national priorities would increase the funding they could receive from government, they would have to deal with the possible consequence of having to adhere to conditions provided by the political funding agent or organisation. It was believed that this would threaten
154 their attempts to remain apolitical and thus negate their overall credibility. This remains a dilemma that they struggle with:
“We cannot run away from the fact that Oxfam operates in a political environment.
That political environment will determine the success of Oxfam going forward. It starts with who we choose as our Board member and who they are affiliated or connected to.That will shape the view or views of the external stakeholders going forward.” (Int.1)
“Then obviously your alignment to national priorities is significant, particularly in this country. A lot of the corporate trust foundations and government funding will be granted only if you align with national goals. If you do not, it does put a risk of funding against you. Then that comes with its own set of problems because you are being expected to operate like a government facility as well, which is not always possible” (Int.6)