4.11 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
4.11.3 Transition to Oxfam SA
Oxfam currently exists in SA in the form of several different Northern affiliates such as Oxfam Great Britain, Oxfam Italy, Oxfam Netherlands, etc. However, they are currently in a transitional status towards the development of an Oxfam South Africa in South Africa itself. Thus, as it stands Oxfam SA has observer status and will become a fully fledged independent Oxfam affiliate and NPO once they are registered with the Department of Social Development in SA.
This process is anticipated to culminate in 2016.
In response to the North-South dilemma explained above, almost sixty percent of the board will be South Africans. In terms of the relationship between Oxfam SA and the other international affiliates currently in SA, such international affiliates both locally and internationally may choose to assist Oxfam SA to fund particular projects or programs which they feel aligns with their own programs or projects, or if they feel particularly dedicated to being involved in a specific project, then they are free to assist.
"The difference from an independent Oxfam is that it (Oxfam SA) will have a national board which is exactly what will happen in 2016 is that it will have South African headquarters which will be in SA. Decisions will be taken by the board, it will be part of the global confederation and will also co-create the global strategy, but will mobilise its own resources. The resources that might come from Oxfam GB, Germany and others will be based on will, or if there is a need to support areas of different programs...the challenge then will be that it will have to do extra to mobilise resources domestically." (Int.1)
"It will be Oxfam SA. They will have to mobilise their own resources. Oxfam International might give it some money. Oxfam GB and Australia might decide to
160 contribute some money if there is anything which they think relates to their projects and/or programmes." (Int.1)
Such a transition is a long process with many benefits, but also many challenges. This includes the effort required to mobilise its own resources and funding, as well as increased competition with other NPOs in SA because they will all be competing for funds from the same funding pool. This sense of rivalry is enhanced by the fact that the transition to Oxfam SA will allow the organisation to raise funds from the public via individual donations (which it does not currently do), therefore it will be perceived by other NPOs as competing for funds from the shrinking pool of individual donors. This may lead to animosty between Oxfam SA and other NPOs whereas before the transition they would have been more likely to be partners.
"So this transition will be both internally and externally and will have consequences both positive and negative because no longer will we be just extensions of other affiliates like how the Joburg office is an extension of Oxfam GB and the Durban office is an extension of Oxfam Australia. " (Int.1)
"It will now be only our responsibility to mobilise resources so we will essentially be competing with other national NPOs and this will not be very positive as they will think that we are likely to compete with them in terms of access to resources.."
(Int.1)
"We normally fundraise from institutional donors, trusts and foundations, corporates and the private sector, but not from individuals. The emerging structure that is coming, has the mandate that it can open up to sourcing funds from the public. To Oxfam SA that will be an additional funding source, but on the other hand it also presents a pressure on the other players that are already there to compete to mobilise resources from the public." (Int. 5)
How to align Oxfam's global priorities and strategies with the local South African context and realities was also identified as another challenge requiring much thought before the final establishment of the SA affiliate. Creating a South African affiliate that is best able to cater to South African society and its unique needs was also a dilemma being encountered in the transition to Oxfam SA.
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"The biggest challenge we face is aligning the global priorities of Oxfam as a global international non-governmental organization to suit SA, and what is going to be the best benefit for the South African market. What can we offer that is going to benefit the South African community the most? That sounds like a small statement but there are masses of work around that concept." (Int.6)
Transitioning from the current arrangement of having several Northern affiliates operating in SA to a single Oxfam SA entity also presents the difficulty in deciding who stays in the emerging structure and who does not:
"How the other affiliates deal with their offices is being discussed between the board. We have no obligation to take on Oxfam GB, Oxfam Australia or any of the rest of them, but that would not be right either. We want to remain committed to carrying on those programs so how we get that balance right in terms of who to keep and who not to keep is a challenge, so we have to constantly ask ourselves...how do we get that right?" (Int.6)
In spite of the above challenges involved in the transition, there were a number of things to be hopeful about as well. A major benefit was the fact that the good and credible reputation of Oxfam as an effective, efficient and accountable international confederation of NPOs would influence the public to think favourably of the upcoming Oxfam SA affiliate, but it would be the responsibility of the organisation to implement and deliver programs effectively in order to sustain such a reputation:
"But it will also draw the attention of smaller NPOs to Oxfam SA as well, because they will see the value addition in our policy, advocacy, research and global diplomacy and experience..." (Int.1)
" ...the Oxfam brand name globally bequeaths to Oxfam SA a good name. It would then depend on how it then manages its programs and its engagement with the external world and continues making a dent on poverty and inequality. So as long as it does that and advances the cause it should be able to generate sufficient resources..." (Int.1)
162 The establishment of an Oxfam SA in SA itself will also contribute to ending much confusion on the part of public, private and individual donors as the current arrangement of having several Northern affiliates in SA tends to contribute to. Donors who previously were suspicious of donating or funding a Northern affiliate in Southern terrain, may be more willing to donate to or fund a South African affiliate which is perceived to be representing the welfare of South Africa more readily. Where previously there existed a degree of competition for resources amongst the various affiliates in SA, the establishment of a South African affiliate would reduce such competition as funding will then be able to be channeled into just one Oxfam affiliate, instead of many different ones. The transition to Oxfam SA will allow the organisation to raise funds from the members of the public, something which the current Oxfam affiliates were not mandated to do. This provides the opportunity of increasing the funding at the organisation's disposal, thus enhancing its overall sustainability:
"Currently, the different Oxfams have different programs and internally there is competition within the Oxfams. But now with the establishment of one Oxfam (Oxfam SA) all those resources out there within Southern Africa would be at the disposal of one Oxfam, so that provides more room for more funding for the emerging Oxfam SA structure." (Int.5)
"It will probably elimanate the confusion that sometimes are there in the eyes of donors...but if we only have one Oxfam, we will all have one strategy and it will be more focused on our approach to the donors." (Int.5)
The establishment of the Oxfam SA affiliate will only be finalised by the year 2016. However, the process has begun in earnest with the head or Executive Director of the Oxfam SA affiliate already been selected. Current employees of several affiliates voiced their support of this individual with many pointing to her strong leadership abilities, vast experince in the non-profit sector and fearlessness in voicing her opinions as strong indicators of her future success as the head of Oxfam SA:
"Well, fortunately we have a very strong Executive Director. She is a South African woman who has gone through a lot of social justice so she has got a good South African grounding...she is a strong person. She certainly has the ability to take it back to the North, so in other words, switching it around instead of them imposing on us. She is quite vocal. She is an advocate. So I think that the person that is
163 leading the organisation needs to be in the driver’s seat, the type of person you take is important." (Int.6)