Chairperson’s report

INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME ALUMNI ASSOCIATION-RSA (IFRAA-RSA) NORTHERN REGION WORKSHOP REPORT

This workshop was an implementation of the Capacity Building For Members of IFPAA-RSA Through Provision of Educational Workshops and Skills Enhancement Project. The theme of the workshop was Empowerment for Social Justice.

NORTHERN REGION WORKSHOP REPORT

Introduction

This workshop was an implementation of the Capacity Building For Members of IFPAA-RSA Through Provision of Educational workshops and Skills Enhancement Project. The theme of the workshop was Empowerment for Social Justice. It is one of the four outward workshops planned for the various regions

Preparation

Preparations started as early as January 2011 at an executive committee (EXCO) meeting when the EXCO decided on a date. In the subsequent meetings, ideas and progress for the workshop were discussed. In preparing for this workshop, an organising committee (LOC) comprised of Ms Phinah Kodisang, Dr Joel Mamabolo, Mr Manoko Boshomane, Mr Metse Mabote and Mr Sogo Matlala, was constituted. All LOC members, except Phinah, were chosen because they stay around Polokwane which was the venue for the workshop. This made it easy for LOC members to meet regularly. Phinah, although based in Mpumalanga province, was always reachable through an email and a cellphone and she played a very active role in the committee.

Preparations involved identification of the theme, guest speaker(s), venue and the duration of the workshop. To invite Northern region alumni, the LOC requested a contact list from the Africa America Institute (AAI) office in Braamfontein and a list of alumni and fellow-elects from Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces were made available. An invitation was emailed to all on the two lists and response was satisfactory although some few emails bounced. The EXCO was fully involved in the preparations and some members who are originally from Limpopo, but are now based in Gauteng, were directly involved in identifying and inviting guest speakers. A venue (Bolivia Lodge) was booked and a programme was finally drawn (Annexure 1)

Members responded positively to the call to volunteer in the running of the workshop. They volunteered to chair sessions, welcome delegates, give vote of thanks, handle logistics during the workshop and take notes.

Arrival, Registration and Departure

Delegated from outside Limpopo and those staying very far from Polokwane started arriving on Friday afternoon June 24, 2011 while the rest of the delegates arrived on Saturday morning. Registration took place Saturday morning (Annexure 2). Some delegates departed at 20h00 Saturday evening when the workshop ended while those travelling to distant areas departed on Sunday morning June 26, 2011. A total of delegates attended this workshop.

Workshop Programme

The report for this section will follow the workshop programme as outlined in Annexure 1.

Welcome and Introductions

A member of the LOC introduced guests and thereafter each delegate introduced him/herself. In introducing themselves, each delegate indicated a name, field of study and current employment so as to indicate the types of skills available in the region. This was also done to facilitate interactions and for delegates to get to know each other better as they belong to different cohorts.

Ms Betty Kgare, a Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) councillor, welcomed delegates to the province on behalf of the executive mayor who was outside the country at the time. In her welcome address she indicated that she find the workshop theme inspiring and also that the municipality has always recognised education as an important tool for development. The district municipality will look into the IDP documents of its local municipalities to see how best IFPAA-RSA members can get involved. She further mentioned that South Africa is recognised internationally as being good in formulating policies but poor in implementing them and she hoped that IFPAA-RSA members will assist the country in policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Mrs Louise Africa of AAI also gave a welcome address. She indicated her appreciation for the opportunity to be always given a chance to welcome delegates in the various regional workshops. She reminded members about the objectives of the International Fellowships Programme (IFP) and the promise each one made when the fellowship was awarded. Mrs Africa acknowledged the preparatory work done by LOC, the fellow-elects who were present as well as the CDM councillor. She indicated to fellow-elects that they should appreciate having alumni as their brothers and sisters and should be ready to join then when they finish their studies. She encouraged the CDM councillor to make use of the skills that IFPAA-RSA members possess to facilitate development in the region. She concluded by acknowledging that the workshop is special as it brought four PhD graduates in one room which is unusual in the region.

Dr Raj Govender, the IFPAA-RSA chairperson, reminded members of the commitment to social justice that each one made during the application for the fellowship in his welcome address. He challenged members with the following questions:

• 
  Are you doing enough to your community?
  
• 
  What is it that you are doing for your community beside your paid job?
  

Review of History, Progress and Future of the Alumni Association

Mr Aaron Ramodumo, the secretary of IFPAA-RSA, presented the background, goals, achievements, challenges and plans of the association. He indicated to members that with the knowledge that each one has acquired, we can and should built better communities. He encouraged members not to migrate to cities, but to stay in the rural areas of their region, and develop those areas.

Financial Management Issues

Ms Mbalinhle Mthethwa (Mbali), an alumnus and treasurer of the association, facilitated a session on corporate finance and how to read financial statements. Her session was very interactive and participants asked questions which she answered to their satisfaction.

A Developmental Budget

Mr David Masondo, an alumnus and current MEC for Treasury in Limpopo, was invited as guest speaker. He indicated his appreciation for being invited to the workshop and acknowledged the comprehensive support that Mrs Africa and her staff at AAI provides to us throughout the phases of the fellowship programme. Mrs Africa is always available to provide moral support on top of the financial support that she provides. He indicated that his presentation will be mostly on The role of the state budget in achieving social justice. In his interactive session he raised challenging issues on social justice such as:

• 
  What is social justice?
  
• 
  What is the best way to organise society? Is it by urban-rural, male-female or rich-poor?
  
• 
  What is the best way to redistribute resources (Redistributive justice) in post-apartheid South Africa?
  

He discussed the role of treasury in raising funds for the province and how provinces bid for funds from national treasury. He encouraged IFPAA-RSA members to assist his department and the province with ideas on how to achieve social justice. He encouraged members to share ideas with him regularly and he provided his email address and cellphone number.

Social Entrepreneurship: A National Imperative

Dr Raj Govender, an alumnus and chairperson of IFPAA-RSA engaged delegates on the need to become social entrepreneurs. He explained that social entrepreneurs are innovative people who can transform social problems into solutions and gave an example of Men at the Side of the Road Project. The project was started by a man who was concerned about unemployed men who daily, in all sorts of weather, would stand at the side of a road waiting for someone to employ them. The man, a social entrepreneur, collected old and broken tools, organised those men and helped them to work on and with the tools.

Solar Energy for Sustainable Development

Dr Eric Maluta, an alumnus, gave an interactive presentation on solar energy as an alternative to electricity generated from coal-powered stations. He explained the various types of solar powered batteries available in South Africa and how a solar geyser can reduce household electrical consumption.

Organizational Re-engineering: Developing Processes & Procedures for the Region

IFPAA-RSA members from Limpopo and Mpumalanga had a session to discuss how they will take the process of social justice forward in the region. There was only one member from Mpumalanga as indicated in Annexure 2. The following resolutions were made:

1. 
   A Regional Committee was elected where the region was divided into 4 districts according to location of members.
   

Name of District Coordinator	District
Mr Manoko Matlala Boshomane	Capricorn
Dr Eric Maluta	Vhembe
Ms Queen Mtileni Mr Khomisane Makaringe	Mopani Mopani
Mr Richard Khoza	Bohlabela in Mpumalanga Province

2. 
   Representation in the EXCO: Mr Sogo Matlala was re-elected to represent the region in the next EXCO. His name will be forwarded for election in the next Annual general meeting (AGM) and will continue as Regional Coordinator.
   
3. 
   Social Justice in Action: A local community base organization (CBO), Are Rataneng Ka Moka Drop in Centre, was adopted by IFPAA-RSA Northern Region members. See Annexure 3 about the CBO. Members including EXCO donated grocery and clothing to the CBO and further committed themselves to assist the CBO with project management issues. A date for the first visit to the CBO was set as Saturday, 16 July 2011 to conduct a needs assessment that will guide interventions. It was further agreed that members will identify other CBOs needing assistance in their districts, work with them and report to their coordinators and to the regional coordinator on a regular basis.
   
4. 
   Interacting with municipalities: Members agreed to visit their district and local municipalities in order to identify areas where they can make a contribution. This will start by each district making an appointment with their municipalities and then informing members in other districts about the date of the meeting.
   

Media Engagement

The IFPAA-RSA has identified a need to engage with the media and this was spelled out in a presentation by the secretary. The MEC also indicated the role of media in social justice issues. To attempt to engage the media, a freelance journalist was invited to the workshop and provided some coverage in provincial and national newspapers in the following ways:

1. 
   Turning waste in to food (The Valley Messenger 24 – 30 June 2011)
   
2. 
   Academics drop in to help needy community (The New Age 27 June 2011)
   
3. 
   Academics open hearts to poor children (The Valley Messenger 01-07 July 2011)
   

Conclusion

This interactive workshop was a result of a joint effort by EXCO, LOC, AAI staff and members of the Northern region of IFPAA-RSA. Through this workshop the role of the association in addressing social justice issues became clearer. It opened doors into municipal and provincial government offices and it is up to members to walk in. It enabled members in the North to meet and know each other better and has facilitated a way to work together.


International Fellowships Program Alumni Association - RSA

Session 1: Chairperson: Dr. Joel Mamabolo
Time	Activity/ Topic	Presenter
08H00 – 09h00	Arrival and Registration	All
09h00 to 09h15	Welcome and Introductions	Clr L Mapoulo, Executive Mayor, Capricorn District Municipality
09H15 to 09h25	Introduction of guests and Self introductions	Mr. Manoko Boshomane and Alumni
09h25 to 09h35	Address	Mrs L Africa: Director of Africa America Institute
09h35 to 10h00	Address	Raj Govender: Chairperson – IFPAA RSA
10h00 – 10h30	Review Of History, Progress & Future of the Alumni Association	Aaron Ramodumo: Secretray— IFPAA RSA
10h30 – 11h00	Photo session and tea break	All

Session 2: Chairperson: Mr. Shivambu Gamu
Time	Activity/ Topic	Presenter
11h00 to 13h00	Financial Management Issues	Ms Mbalinhle Mthetwa

LUNCH BREAK! LUNCH BREAK! LUNCH BREAK! LUNCH BREAK!

Session 3: Chairperson: Ms Mercy Mahungu
Time	Activity/ Topic	Presenter
14h00 to 15h00	A Developmental Budget	Mr. David Masondo: MEC Limpopo Treasury
15h00 to 15h30	Social Entrepreneurship: A National Imperative	Dr Raj Govender
15H30 to 16h00	Solar Energy for Sustainable Development	Dr Eric Maluta
16h00 to 16h10	Refreshment Break	All

Session 4: Chairperson: Ms Mercy Mahungu
16h10 to 17h15	Organizational Re-engineering – Developing Processes and Procedures for the Northern Region	All
17h15 to 18h30	Report back & Way forward	All
18h30 to 18h450	Donation to a CBO and Photo session	All
18h45 to 19h00	Vote of Thanks and Closure	Mr Khomisane Makaringe
19h00 t0 20h00	Dinner and Departure	All

Annexure 2

ATTENDANCE LIST

NAME	PROVINCE
Sogo Matlala	Limpopo
Joel Mamabolo	Limpopo
Manoko Boshomane	Limpopo
Metse Mabote	Limpopo
Richard Khoza	Mpumalanga
Mercy Mahungu	Limpopo
Mohlatlego Ramothwala	Limpopo
Queen Mtileni	Limpopo
Mathomo Moila	Limpopo
Khomisani Makharinge	Limpopo
Mikateko Mabasa	Limpopo
Gamu Shivambu	Limpopo
Eric Maluta	Limpopo
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Raj Govender	EXCO
Edith Phaswane	EXCO
Aaron Ramodumo	EXCO
Thabile Adams	EXCO
Mbali Mthethwa	EXCO
Phehello Mahasela	EXCO
Phinah Kodisang	EXCO
FELLOWS –ELECT
Lambani Maanda	Limpopo
Mudzunga Lucas-Thangavhuelelo	Limpopo
Madimetja Mashamaite	Limpopo
GUESTS
NAME	ORGANISATION
Mrs Louise Africa	The Africa-America Institute
Ms Grace Manthata	A Re Rataneng Ka Moka Drop in Centre
Montsho Matlala	Freelance Journalist
Mr David Masondo	MEC Limpopo Treasury
Ms Betty Kgare	Acting Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality

NORTHERN REGION WORKSHOP - PHOTOS

	2011
	International Fellowships Program Alumni Association of South Africa Prepared by Teboho Thebehae and Edith Phaswana

[report of the IFPAARSA workshop –Gauteng Region]

This is a detailed report of the IFPAARSA inward workshops held in Gauteng on the 5-6 August 2011 at the Reef Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa

REPORT OF THE IFPAARSA WORKSHOP FOR GAUTENG REGION HELD AT REEF HOTEL IN JOHANNESBURG ON THE 05-06 AUGUST

Acknowledgements

This workshop was organised by the Gauteng organising committee, Africa-America Institute and the Executive committee of IFPAARSA. We are especially grateful to Mrs Africa for her assistance in the organisation of this workshop, despite the tragedy that befell her family towards final preparation of this workshop. Gratitude to Tholakele Khumalo, AAI staff member, for the support she provided throughout the two days. We are also thankful to the staff at the Reef Hotel for their hospitality.

Background and Purpose

This workshop is part of the four inward workshops planned to enhance capacity and skills of alumni and fellows in different regions of South Africa. Since the inward workshops are aimed at developing specific skills, a full day workshop was scheduled for Gauteng. The EXCO of IFPAARSA identified the 5-6^th August 2011 for Gauteng workshop and appointed Edith Phaswana (Deputy Chairperson) as coordinator for Gauteng. An initial email was therefore sent to all Gauteng alumni inviting them to attend the scheduled workshop and also requesting alumni to volunteer in forming a local organising committee in preparation for the workshop. The following alumni came forward as volunteers: Meiya Nthoesane, Neo Ramoupi, Siphelo Ngcwangu; Teboho Thebehae; Aaron Ramodumo; Thabile Adams. These individuals were responsible for identifying the venue, invited speaker and presenters, photographer and the entertainment group. A total of four meetings were held in preparation for this workshop (refer to minutes).

The Gauteng inward workshop, supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Programme, was held on August 5-6, at the Reef Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 25 alumni including EXCO members arrived on Friday night for the social dinner (see Appendix 1 for full programme). Thirty-three Alumni from Gauteng region participated in the workshop on Saturday the 6^th of August 2011. This workshop was the last of the four inward workshops held throughout South Africa. Some of the workshop proceedings will be published in the resource manual.

Outline of Proceedings (5-6 August 2011)