Me Hester Meyer, SAVF volunteer for the past 37 years and Hartbeesfontein resident was the project coordinator.

The Tigani Charity Club project was initiated after residents of the informal settlement contacted SAVF Hartbeesfontein for assistance.  This rural area suffers from dire poverty and unemployment.

“SAVF recruited volunteers from the community and we were met with great enthusiasm. We decided to focus on senior citizens, people with disabilities and those that have no income”, Meyer said.

After a previous project, consisting of vegetable cultivation, was completed and resident could carry on independently, SAVF Hartbeesfontein decided to start a feeding scheme within Tigani. “We identified 35 needy families with the help of Tigani volunteers.  We had to find a sponsor and we were lucky enough to receive financial aid from Grain Care in Randfontein.  With Grain Care’s assistance we’ve been able to provide food for these families since 2008”.

Meyer states further that helping these families are not only about providing basic needs – restoring their dignity is also very important.

Parcels are also distributed during Christmas, consisting of groceries, meat, vegetables and gifts.  “We like to make it special for those in need during Christmas – this lighten the burden and gives a sense of community”, Meyer said.

Throughout the year blankets, school clothes, shoes for the elderly and clothes for toddlers are given to those most in need.  Earlier this year, SAVF Hartbeesfontein intervened and saved a number of senior citizens from dire circumstances.  The elderly are now cared for at the SAVF Evanna Home for the Elderly.

“The projects’ success can be ascribed to the selfless work of Tigani volunteers and that of SAVF personnel. Two communities came together with one objective: to give dignity back to those that lost it due to poverty and unemployment”.

SAVF North West is active in 4 districts and 75 communities.  Social workers in 12 offices render services to approximately 5 thousand people. Care is given to the aged and people with disabilities in 10 homes, while the organisation manages 3 service centers and 5 child and youth facilities.

Sources state that the allocation of funds to politically connected organisations will be under investigation, while deserving Non-profit organisations (NPO’s) receive very little funding – or in some case, no funding at all.

“SAVF applied for funding last year.  To our surprise most of our applications were rejected due to ‘limited budget’, while recent figures show that the NLD has approximately R6 billion in the fund that is designated to be allocated to deserving NPO’s.  Furthermore, the NLB stated that only emerging and previously not-funded NPO’s will receive funding in future.  The NLB did not state this in its advertisements for funding applications. This was a partial decision by the NLB and affects the poorest of the poor”, Kemp said.

According to Kemp, the NLB refuse funding to credible NPO’s while organisations under the ‘multi-purpose” category yreceived millions. “One such an allocation of approximately R40 million was made to the Youth Development Agency (NYDA). It later came to light in the Auditor General’s report that some of this money was spent irregularly.  Another amount of R1 million was also awarded under the auspices of this category to COSATU for their 25^th anniversary festivities last year”.

“This investigation is a step in the right direction. SAVF hope that answers will be given regarding the procedure that the NLB follows in which funds are withheld from creditable organisations under the pretext that funds are channeled to emerging and previously not funded organizations.  We would also like to see clarity on the allocation of extraordinary big amounts to be used for festivals, or other activities of non-welfare, non-sport or non-cultural organisations”.

NPO’s are strictly controlled.  All registered NPO’s are liable to submit 6 monthly reports, proof of expenditure and audted statements.  If funds are not applied for the purpose of which they are granted, it must be paid back. This process is transparent. “ At the moment the NLB are undermining this process”, Kemp said.

“Many NPO’s, like SAVF take upcoming organisations under their wing by affiliating and supporting these organistions.  Last year, 6 upcoming organisations affiliated with SAVF.  Most of these organisations are based in rural areas, where the need for social development is dire”, Kemp said.

SAVF reached more than one million people through social development services in 2010/2011.  More than 80 thousand people’s lives were directly impacted through poverty alleviation programs.  SAVF render services in 5 provinces (Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Kwazulu/Natal). Services include child and youth care, social development and care for the elderly and disabled.

“Social grants are not a sustainable solution to poverty eradication”, says Marieta Kemp, SAVF Director Social Services.  Her comment follows reports by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) that social grant beneficiaries have increased by 333% over the past ten years (2001-2011).

“SAVF acknowledge that social grants are a necessity. However, it will not aid the poor in escaping the deprivation trap.  Only empowerment and upliftment will ensure a sustainable livelihood.  This rests primarily on the shoulders of Non-profitable Organisations (NPO’s). The channelling of all social development funds into social grants, doesn’t allow for the creation of opportunities to uplift and empower the poor and they continue living from hand-to-mouth. 

Kemp further states that a mere 7% of the Social Development Budget of 2010/2011 was allocated to NPO’s.  “The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) received R89.4 billion (93% of the total budget), while NPO’s received less than one tenth”.

“The more than 10 million South African children forced to survive on social grants need to serve as a wake up call to government.  Not only are the amount of social beneficiaries escalating dramatically; more and more NPO’s are forced to close their doors after the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) unilaterally decided to cease funding to established NPO’s last year. By not utilising social development resources at its disposal, government is cutting the very lifeline out of a lifetime of sustained poverty . Unless there is a radical shift of focus from government; South Africa will transform into a welfare state”, Kemp said.

SAVF render services in 23 welfare districts, 345 urban and rural areas.  The NPO is active in 5 provinces namely; Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.  SAVF has 3 service areas namely; Child – and Youth Care, Social Development and Care for the Aged and Disabled.   In the past year, more than 200 000 people have benefited by the work of SAVF community services and group work.  The organisations social workers rendered services to more than 26 000 people through individual case work.

SAVF called on the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) after numerous Non-Profit Organisations (NPO’s) applications for funding were rejected.  This came to light at the SAVF’s 83st Congres that took place in Bela Bela, Limpopo, last week.

According to Owen Vogel, SAVF Director: Management Services, the NLDTF stated that the applications were rejected due to “a limited budget” and that “preference is given to first time applicants”.  Recent figures show that the NLDTF has approximately R6 Billion in the fund that is designated to be allocated to deserving NPO’s.

“The NPO’s applications that were rejected by the NLDTF are organisations with a proven background of good management.  These NPO’s have been rendering sustainable services to the poorest of the poor since before, and more importantly, after 1994.  The applications of these NPO’s are focused on the empowerment of the previously disadvantaged communities and services to emerging organisation. A serious injustice will be done if funds are not allocated for these services”, Vogel said.

“The government must take note that NPO’s like SAVF, take upcoming organizations under their wing by affiliating and supporting these organizations. In the past year, 6 upcoming organizations affiliated with the SAVF in 5 rural and 1 urban area.”

The National Lottery Board did not state in its advertisements for funding applications that only emerging and previously not-funded organisations will receive funds.  “No criteria were stipulated when NGO’s received notice that applications were open”, Vogel said.

Vogel states further that while the NLDTF deny NPO’s funding, millions of Rand are allocated to the National Lottery Boards’ “multi-purpose” category. One such an allocation, approximately R40 million, was made to the Youth Development Agency (NYDA). “It recently came to light in the Auditor General’s report that more than half of this grant was used irregularly.  Another amount of R1 million was recently awarded under the auspices of this category to Cosatu for their 25^th anniversary festivities”.

SAVF request the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate the National Lottery Board (NLB) procedure in which funds are withheld from creditable organisations under the pretext that funds are channeled to emerging and previously not funded organisations. SAVF further request the investigation of the allocation of extraordinary big amounts to be used for festivals, or other activities of non-welfare, non-sport or non-cultural organisations.

“These funds do not belong to the NLB to distribute as gifts. Legislation stipulates that the NLB keep public funds to distribute to creditable applicants. Welfare organisations are strictly controlled. All registered NPO’s are liable to submit 6 monthly reports, proof of expenditure and audited statements. If funds are not applied for the purpose for which they are granted, it must be paid back.  By denying NPO’s funding, the NLB are literally strengthening the deprivation trap of the poorest of the poor”, Vogel said.

SAVF reached more than one million people through social development services in 2010/2011.  More than 80 thousand people’s lives were directly impacted through poverty alleviation programs.  SAVF render services in 5 provinces (Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Kwazulu/Natal). Services include child and youth care, social development and care for the elderly and disabled.

Owen Vogel                                                                                                  SAVF Media Officer

SAVF: Director Management Services                                                  Ansie Slabbert

083 628 4805                                                                                                084 511 3880

012 325 3920           

SAVF Social Auxiliary Worker Award Winners Leslie Masupane (right) and Lebogang Murokani (left)

Two social auxiliary workers from Gauteng walked away with the acclaimed SAVF Social Auxiliary Worker of the Year Award at the SAVF’s 83^rd Congress that is taking place in Limpopo this week.

Leslie Masupane , social auxiliary worker at SAVF Môreglans Old Age Home in Mogale City and Lebogang Murokani, social auxiliary worker at the SAVF Mamelodi social work office are the joint winners of the award that is given to most deserving social auxiliary worker over a three year time span.

According to Marieta Kemp, SAVF Director: Social Services, social auxiliary workers render an invaluable service to SAVF and South African communities as a whole.  “The 28 social auxiliary workers in SAVF employment are the right-hand of our social workers.  Due to the shortage of social workers and their immense workload, auxiliary workers play a vital part in the upholding of the offices and rendering services under the supervision of social workers”, Kemp said.

Joint award winner, Leslie Masupane, started out as a SAVF volunteer in 2002. “At that stage I was between jobs and the SAVF was active in my community in Swannieville.  I volunteered my services and was involved in youth holiday programs and other outreach projects.  The SAVF regional manager at the time approached me and asked if I were interested in becoming a social auxiliary worker. This was a great opportunity for me; I feel very passionate about helping people.  I since graduated as a social auxiliary worker and is actively involved in the Rietvallei community on the Westrand”, Masupane said.

Masupane initiated an exercise routine for elderly people in the community and also assist them when applying for old age grants.  “There are lots of senior citizens that have difficulty with the bureaucratic application process. I act as a mediator between them and the SASSA”. Masupane is currently furthering his studies in Personal Relations with the hope that this skill will aid him in his social development work.

Lebogang Murokani, joint winner of the SAVF Social Auxiliary Worker Award, resides in Soshanguve and is based in the SAVF Mamelodi Social Work office. “When I was young I dreamed of becoming a social worker. My mother was a single-mother and was employed as a domestic worker.   When I finished matric there was not enough money to further my studies.  When the opportunity arose at the SAVF to become a social auxiliary worker, I grabbed it with both hands.  Being a social auxiliary worker enables me to support my family while working towards my goal to become a social worker”, Murokani said.

Murokani renders family support services and foster supervision services in Mamelodi.  She is also involved with training and group work in her community.  During a recent period, where all social work post were vacant in the Mamelodi office, Murokhani managed to ensure the smooth running of the office under supervision of the regional SAVF social worker. “The acknowledgement of the work I do means a lot to me.  It strengthens my resolve to become a social worker and uplift and empower my community”,Murokhani said.

SAVF is active in 5 provinces, namely; Limpopo, Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Kwazulu/Natal.  In the past year, the Organisation managed to reach out to more than 80 thousand people with poverty alleviation programs.  Other services include child and youth care, social development and care for the aged and disabled.

For more information please contact:

SAVF Media Officer

Ansie Slabbert

084 511 3880

Lucinda Van Der Vyfer SAVF Maatskaplike Werker van die Jaar

‘n Maatskaplike Werker van SAVF Pretoria maatskaplike werk dienste, Lucinda van der Vyfer,  het vanjaar die gesogte SAVF Maatskaplike Werker van die Jaar toekenning ontvang tydens die Organisasie se 83ste Kongres wat vandeesweek in Limpopo plaasvind.

Maatskaplike werkers van vyf provinsies (Limpopo, Gauteng, Noordwes, Kwazulu/Natal en Mpumalanga) het om die toekenning meegeding.

Volgens Marieta Kemp, SAVF direkteur: maatskaplike dienste, is die kriteria vir hierdie toekenning omvattend. “ Dit gaan nie net oor dienslewering nie.  Die maatskaplike werker wat hierdie toekenning ontvang het ‘n passie vir sy of haar werk. Ons kyk ook na die innerlike kwaliteite van die kandidate. Die persoon moet kan aanpas by die veranderende omstandighede binne die breë welsyn spektrum en moet ook innoverend wees”, sê Kemp.

Van der Vyfer, ‘n senior maatskaplike werker, is vir die afgelope 6 jaar werksaam by die SAVF.  Sy het haar SAVF loopbaan begin as ‘n generiese maatskaplike werker by die Shoshanguve maatskaplike diens kantoor .  Daarna is sy oorgeplaas na die SAVF Armstrong Berning Sentrum vir getraumatiseerde meisies waar sy as spesialis maatskaplike werker optree.  Armstrong Berning Sentrum sien om na meisies tussen die ouderdom van 12 en 18 jaar wat getraumatiseerd en swanger is.

“Die Sentrum kan 10 meisies in ’n gegewe tyd akkommodeer. Ons poog om ’n huislike atmosfeer te skep en lewensvaardighede aan die meisies oor te dra. Hierdie vaardighede kan hulle later bemagtig op hul lewenspad”, het van der Vyver gesê.

Terapie word gelewer in ‘n multi-disiplinere spanverband . Die meisies wat besluit om hul babas te hou neem ook deel aan prenatale en ouerleiding klasse.  In die geval van aanneming word emosionele ondersteuning aan die meisies verskaf asook leiding om ‘n ingeligte besluit te neem rakende die toekoms van haar en haar baba.

“Die meisies word ten volle betrek by die hele proses van besluitneming.  Hulle word nie voorgeskryf wat om te doen nie – hulle regte word erken en niemand word in ‘n situasies ingedwing nie.  Ons ondersteun ook die meisies in toekomsbeplanning” sê van der Vyver.

Bo-en-behalwe Van der Vyfer se werk by die Sentrum,  spesialiseer  sy ook in aaneming en herkomsnavrae en word sy beskryf as die sleutelpersoon in SAVF se aaneming-akreditasie proses.

Volgens van der Vyfer is maatskaplike werk haar passie.  “Maatskaplike werkers maak werklik ‘n verskil in mense se lewens.  Ons sien dikwels by die Sentrum hoe ‘n onbeplande swangerskap ‘n familie uitmekaar skeur.  Ons doelwit is om hierdie meisies en hul gesinne die gereedskap te gee om krisisse te oorkom en om weer hoopvol te word.  Daar is altyd hoop  –  en dit  maak die maatskaplike werk professie die moeite werd”, het Van der Vyfer gesê.

Vir verdere navrae kontak:

SAVF Media Beampte

Ansie Slabbert

084 511 3880

Emotional Well Being is Vital in Elderly Care

“Eldercare is not only about physical care; it is also about emotional care”, according to Marieta Kemp, SAVF Director: Social Services during the NGO’’s commemoration of International Day of the Older Person that takes place annually on 1 October.

SAVF cares for more than 3000 frail persons in 32 SAVF homes and houses more than 2700 elderly and people with disabilities across five provinces.  The Organisation also manages 21 Service Centres.  Programs in these Centres include home based care, HIV programs and poverty alleviation.

“Rapid ageing in developing countries along with contributing factors such as urbanisation, changing family structures and more women entering the formal workforce, mean that fewer people are available to care for older people when they need assistance.  In many instances, elderly care becomes the responsibility of Non-profit organisations (NPO) and the Government”, Kemp said.

Kemp further states that the process of institutionalising an older person is often a traumatic experience. “Formal elderly care is an absolute necessity and most institutions render excellent services.  However, the relocation from a familiar environment to a care facility has a huge emotional impact on the elderly person.  Due to space constraints within facilities, the older person can only take a few personal belongings, while legislation hampers the creation of a homely atmosphere.  These factors often contribute to trauma and anxiety”.

Older Persons Legislation (13 of 2006) determines that people living in Old Age homes should have access to a social worker.  “It is impossible for most NPO’s and State institutions to adhere to this guideline. The institution of social workers in every SAVF home has been a long sought after goal for the SAVF. We are proud to announce that we are in the process to make this a reality. Social worker services will enable us to care more effectively for the emotional well being of the elderly”, Kemp said.

“Everyone deserves to grow old happily.  By contributing positively to the emotional well-being of the elderly, older persons can experience their autumn years with dignity and respect”, Kemp said.

The SAVF’s theme for 2011: “Converting poverty into opportunities” was realised after the Organisation managed to reach out to more than 81 thousand South Africans through specific poverty alleviation actions this past year (1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011).

This is evident in the SAVF’s Annual Report that was released earlier this week.

Nelie Viljoen-Toet, SAVF Manager: Social Services, stressed that the Report is not only mere statistics, but that each number represents a human life that’s been touched. “Each of these statistics in the Annual Report represent intensive therapy, special attention and 24 hour care and in many instances, protection from the harsh outside world” Viljoen-Toet said. 

“It is evident from the Report that services within communities reach out to more people than the formal services rendered from within facilities.  A significant increase in community programs and -projects enabled SAVF to increase the amount of people reached, in comparison with last year, by 55 thousand.  Services regarding poverty alleviation, child protection, family enrichment and empowerment were prominent”, Viljoen-Toet said. 

Viljoen-Toet states that SAVF services had an impact on more than 1.2 million people in the past year.  “The SAVF service fields comprise of Child and Youth Care, Aged and Disabled Care and Social Development.  In the past year, 200 thousand people benefited from SAVF through community services and group work, while our Social Workers helped 26 thousand people through individual case work”, Viljoen-Toet said.

The Organisation is active in 23 welfare districts and 345 urban areas, towns and communities.  Services are rendered in 5 provinces namely; Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga en North West.

Over-and-above service rendering at grassroots level, the SAVF also used its affiliation with upcoming Non-Profit organisations (NPO’s) as an opportunity.  “This year we helped and supported 6 upcoming NPO’s.  Most of these organisations are working in rural areas where social services are scarce yet much needed”, Viljoen-Toet said. 

Viljoen-Toet also expressed her gratitude towards SAVF staff and volunteers who helped in making 2010/2011 a success. “ The worldwide adverse economic circumstances also impacts NPO’s.  SAVF personnel and volunteers rose above these circumstances with perseverance and dedication to ensure the past year’s success”, Viljoen-Toet said. 

*For the complete Annual Report please email:  media@savf.co.za*

“The 67 minutes that Bikers for Mandela Day will donate to the SAVF Belfast Children’s Home will be valuable in years to come”, so said Bridget Teffo, Manager SAVF Organisational Development about the Bikers forthcoming visit to the Children’s Home on Monday 18 July 2011.

The group of bikers, which comprise of several South African celebrities, will end their weeklong journey through South Africa at the SAVF Belfast Children’s Home.  During their trip the Bikers will travel approximately 2 200 kms.

“The SAVF is honoured to be part of Mandela day.  The Bikers, in collaboration with me Zelda La Grange of the Nelson Mandela Fund, will paint the home and decorate the children’s rooms with new duvets and curtains, while essential items such as underwear and shoes will be given to the children”, Teffo said. 

The SAVF Belfast Children’s Home was established in 1996 and has 214 children in its care.  This Home is one of 5 SAVF Child and Youth Care Centres that render services to approximately 600 children nationwide.  Children are placed in these centers mainly because of neglect, abandonment, abuse, molestation, violence or crime.

According to Teffo the children are waiting in great anticipation for the visit. “Often orphanages and development projects in rural parts of South Africa are forgotten.  Our children can not wait to meet their heroes in person”, Teffo said.

The celebrities that will visit the Children’s Home are amongst others radio personalities DJ Fresh and Angie Khumalo, as well as the singer Bok van Blerk, actress Hanna Grobler and actors Ivan Zimmerman, Darren Kelfkens and Jack Devnarain.