MEDIA RELEASE

DATE:                        20 February 2012
TO:                             All Media
ATTENTION:            News Editors / Reporters

EASTERN CAPE NGO COALITION ON SOPA 2012

Director of the Eastern Cape NGO Coalition (ECNGOC), Ms. Rooks Moodley, has welcomed the 2012 State of the Province Address (SOPA) saying it provides the province with a bold and detailed statement of clear intent.

“SOPA 2012 provides the province with a bold and detailed statement of clear intent.  It highlights significant achievements, and sets the compass for forging accelerated action in the Eastern Cape. The ECNGOC calls upon all sectors of Government, Non-Government, Civil Society , Business and every citizen of the Province to be part of 2012 a Year of Action, in WALKING  TOGETHER TO INFLUENCE CHANGE. In the words of John F. Kennedy paraphrased: ‘Don’t ask what your Province can do for you?  What can you do for your Province?’ ”said Ms. Moodley.
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By Batandwa Malingo
The unpopularity of blood donation in black communities of the Eastern Cape has resulted in the province recording just below 32 000 donations last year although the demand for donation continues to rise rapidly.
This came as a result of some black South Africans believing that blood donation is a “foreign concept”. One of those is Sinawo Hermaans who said: “Blood donation is foreign to black people due to our cultural beliefs”.
However Ms Merelda Sibanyoni from the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) urged citizens to donate blood as donating contributes towards saving lives. “Knowing that your blood donation could contribute towards saving someone’s life gives one a sense of achievement,” she said.

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The ECNGOC‘s mission is to build and strengthen Civil Society’s ability to play a strong and vibrant role in the development process affecting socio –economic transformation in their communities. As a result its primary goal is to strengthen the Leadership of the Civil Society Sector. The ECNGOC‘s mission is to build and strengthen Civil Society’s ability to play a strong and vibrant role in the development process affecting socio –economic transformation in their communities. As a result its primary goal is to strengthen the Leadership of the Civil Society Sector.

A key theme that has emerged out of its work with its constituency of more than 150 member organisations located within the Eastern Cape Province is ‘Leadership, Accountability and Good Governance.’ In this regard the following exciting events are taking place:

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The University of Fort Hare, in partnership with Rhodes University and PricewaterhouseCoopers, cordially invites you to an NGO/CBO Open Day, which will take place on Friday 23rd September, 2011 from 9.00am to 3.30pm in East London. Details of the venue will be provided once registration has closed. Note that we aim for this to be an annual event.

The theme of this inaugural Open Day is ‘Financial Record Keeping and Fundraising’ and the
objectives are to provide:

1. Practical tools and case studies that will assist NGOs and CBOs in keeping their financial
records (paper-based or using computers);
2. Ideas and examples of what other records need to be kept; and
3. Providing guidelines and examples to assist with fundraising.

The Open Day will be free of charge and catering will be provided. In terms of transport arrangements, participants from East London and local surrounds will need to provide their own transport. For participants from Grahamstown and local surrounds, Rhodes University will be arranging transport to East London.

Please request the registration form and submit to Ms Laura Godden, via email on lgodden@ufh.ac.za or via fax on 086 729 7184 no later than Friday 9th September 2011.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Laura on 043 704 7371.

Yours faithfully
Jayshree Thakrar
Director: Community Engagement
University of Fort Hare

By Batandwa Malingo

More than nine million children in South Africa are raised in the absence of their fathers and the ever-increasing teenage pregnancy rate is a major contributor to these millions.

Buseka Sinxoto from Mthatha is one of many South Africans who had a child as a teenager. She was 19 and she is raising her child with her mother who is also a single parent. When she found out she was pregnant she told the father of the child who then dumped her.  The child was born and he changed his mind. “He supports us sometimes,” said Buseka.

 

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