Mentoring for Change

A partnership between Government & NGOs

Government of South Africa
Department of Health
HIV and AIDS/STI & TB
Chief Directorate

The Problem

HIV and AIDS requires joint action by government and communities.

Community-based organisations (CBOs) provide good-quality services in education, prevention, and care. They respond to local perceptions, cultures and priorities. But they lacked skills and infrastructure to access and manage Department of Health funding.

The challenge was to find a way for government funding to reach community-level, without compromising the autonomy of the sector.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The solution was mentoring: using well- developed intermediary NGOs to build sustainable organisational structures and skills in CBOs.

Between 2001 and 2002, the pilot project has involved over 50 CBOs, and nine NGOs in seven provinces. CBOs were selected in collaboration with Provincial Departments of Health, and NGO mentors.

Approaches varied according to developmental needs of each province's CBO populations & service needs of communities. Some NGOs acted as guarantor for funds for CBOs. But all initatives:

used a common "Toolkit" manual
provided direct one-to-one mentoring
focussed on development of transparent and accountable organisational structures
promoted community involvement in planning.

LESSONS LEARNED

NGO mentoring can customise a national health system at local level
Partnerships with mentors improved provincial DoH options for service delivery
Community commitment was essential for sustaining the programme.
Strengthened CBOs, in turn, provide focal points for further networking and support
Donor commitment reduces competition and increases collaboration between CBOs.

FUTURE PLANS

The emphasis on organisational development will be augmented with improved service delivery training
Advocate for direct funding for CBOs that achieve required standard
Mentored CBOs to share their skills and knowledge with other CBOs
The 2nd edition "Toolkit Manual" that incorporates the new learning from the mentoring programme, will be published in October 2002

Contact details for the mentors:

Eastern Cape	Western Cape
Barnabus Trust: Darren Gough PO Box 19582, Tecoma 5214 Tel: 043 721 070	N.A.C.O.S.A.: Luann Hatane PO Box 6358, Roggerbaai 8012 Tel: 021 423 1041
Limpopo	KwaZulu-Natal
Choice: Fiona MacDonald PO Box 2181 Tzaneen 0850 Tel: 015 307 6329	Human Health Devel.Trust: Eric Nene PO Box 3390 Montclair 4004 Tel: 031 462 0004
Mpumalanga	Northern Cape
H.E.A.P.S: Oupa Dlamini PO Box4212, Secunda 2302 Tel: 017 685 1222	RDP Youth Detachment: Collin Katz Private Bag X5033, Kimberley 8300 Tel: 053 831 1192
Free State
C.A.N.S.A.:Sandra Gouw Private Bag X02, Brandhof 9324 Tel: 051 444 2580 L.A.M.P.: Boysie Motang PO Box 9569, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: 051 430 3769	P.P.A.S.A.: Mamotho Khotseng POBox 7886, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: 051 430 8123

Contact details:

South African Department of Health, HIV and AIDS/STI & TB Chief Directorate: Private Bag X828 Pretoria 0001 Republic of South Africa
Chief Director: Dr. Nono Simelela (+27) 12 312 0121	Director: NGO and Donor Coordination: Mr. Collen Bonnecwe (+27) 12 312 0137
Director: Government AIDS Action Plan: Ms N.T. Skenjana (+27) 12 312 0133	Director: HIV and AIDS: Dr Rose Mulumba (+27) 12 312 0060
Director: TB Control Programme: Dr. Refilwe Matji (+27) 12 312 0106

For more information about the mentoring programme, please contact:
Deputy Director: NGO Unit:
Ms. Marian Burley (+27) 12 312 0030