Blog Posts

Young women mobilizing to challenge neoliberal economies that ride on the backs of black women.
By: Nompumelelo Khunju for ACTIVE! Change Drivers We were invited as Activate! Change Drivers to form part of the launch of ActionAid’s Young Urban Women’s Feminist Economy Manifesto on 16-17 September 2023, in Braamfontein, and what a phenomenal affair it was. With...

A community walk in shop made to assist the needy
By: Jennifer Mdluli for ACTIVE! Change Drivers Young people in South Africa have been endured with the dilemma of unemployment for decades now and continue to face challenges with the expenses endured during the period of seeking employment, which includes money for...

Are you ok, bro?: 5 tips for taking care of your mental health for men
By: Lindelani Mnisi for ACTIVE! Change of Drivers Did you know that, in 2019, The World Health Organisation reported, 13 774 suicides in South Africa, and 10 861 of those were men? Globally, the suicide rates for men are higher than those for women on average, and...

Navigating non-profits through tough times: Back to fundraising fundamentals
The tough economic environment and shifting spending priorities have led to most corporate, individual donors, and foundations reassessing their financial commitments. Many are cutting back on funding to nonprofit organisations (NPOs), while some are guiding and...

LAW GRADUATES: POST-QUALIFICATION PATHWAYS FOR FUTURE LEGAL EAGLE
AUGUST 2023 Qualifying with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is a massive milestone, the culmination of years of hard work, late nights, intense focus and unrelenting dedication. But as many law graduates realise when they leave the university gates for the last time,...

BUILDRSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROVIDED INSIGHT AND SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS SOUTH AFRICA’S NUMEROUS CHALLENGES
26 July 2023 - The BuildRSA National Conference - South Africa’s first-ever, text-based conference - happened on the BuildRSA chat platform at https://buildrsa.co.za/ on 24 July 2023. It provided a platform for leaders, experts and stakeholders in different fields to...

Harnessing technology to boost financial literacy among South Africa’s youth
Attention young people! Can you make your little money go a long way? Do you generate enough income for your lifestyle? Can you put your sneaker collection on your balance sheet? These are some of the critical questions explored in the FIN1k Financial Literacy...

Habitat for Humanity announces #BuildForMadiba 2023 plans, calling for donations.
Habitat for Humanity South Africa (HFHSA), a non -profit organization, is committed to creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and to mark Madiba Day in 2023, volunteers will once again #BuildForMadiba across the country. Thaba’Nchu, Khayelitsha...

The power of collaboration: Why involving the full team matters in NPOs fundraising
Opinion editorial by Feryal Domingo, acting Executive Director, Inyathelo Nonprofit organisations (NPOs) play a pivotal role in addressing societal challenges, and it’s a given that raising sufficient funds is critical if they are to achieve their missions. Many...

7 Factors to Consider When Applying for a Job
What do you consider when before applying for a job you qualify for? That was the question we asked on twitter (@ngoconnectsa) to conduct survey and these are the results: 82.5% of job seekers prioritize salary and benefits, only 11,9% consider the company public...

7 tips for NPOs to maintain good relationships with donors
Issued by: Meropa Communications 5 June 2023 Maintaining good relationships with donors is crucial for nonprofit organisations’ (NPOs) success. Donors provide most of the financial resources necessary for the organisation to carry out its mission and programmes, and...

Building Resilience in the NGO Sector: Thriving in Challenging Environments
Introduction: Working in the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector sometimes entails working in complicated and demanding situations. To have a long-term influence, NGO personnel must overcome hardship and develop resilience. In this blog, we will look at...

Navigating Entry-Level Positions in the NGO Sector: Getting Started
Introduction: A career in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may be an interesting and fulfilling path. Entry-level roles are stepping stones that allow you to obtain significant experience while also contributing to worthwhile causes. In this article, we will look...

Budgeting Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations: Insights for Accountants and Bookkeepers
Introduction: Budgeting is critical to the profitability and long-term viability of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits may focus on their primary goal, promote significant change, and leave a lasting influence on the communities they serve by properly managing...

Reproductive Health in the South African public healthcare sector
By: Nadine Dirks for ACTIVATE! Change Drivers When I turned just 19 years old, I went into the hospital for the hundredth time, something was wrong with me. I knew it, my family knew it, but the healthcare providers in my community didn’t. To them I was next to...

You Don’t Know You’re Alive Until You Start to Live
By: Nonkululeko Kubheka for ACTIVATE! Change Drivers The stigma of mental health is one that many people in our society battle with, and the worst part is that they do this in silence. Even with the awareness of mental health specialist services being available, most...

Do Elections Promote Democracy or Have They Become a Façade for the Continuation of Coloniality? [Reflecting on Freedom Day]
By: Nonkululeko Kubheka for ACTIVATE! Change Drivers While April 27th, 1994 saw the promise of the realisation of a nation that would finally become unified and equal, this promise seems to have only materialised through the government changing hands while the same...

“Beyond the Holiday: Exploring Systemic and Structural Factors in Human Rights”
BY: Ramadimetja Makgeru. Less than 24 hours before the annual observance of the commemoration of the Sharpeville massacre, which occurred on the 21st of March in 1960 when police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against the apartheid pass laws,...

The inadequacy of being a man in today’s society
By Ntsikelelo Mzibomvu, visual artist and community activist, Activate Change Drivers The subject of men’s mental health is one of the most difficult challenges facing society and will continue to face for quite some time. It is truly a difficult subject to open up...

Call to promote mental health awareness among youth
by Ntombi Mtolo, Youth Activator, ACTIVATE! Change Drivers There is a silent pandemic that needs an intervention – that of deteriorating mental health among our young people after the hardship and stress caused by the pandemic, as well as the increasing social...

South African finance entrepreneur set to launch charity in January next year – aiming to make a difference in South Africa by targeting underprivileged communities
Marius Schonken, managing director of Mercury Finance, has proven that you're never too young to follow your dreams and make a difference. The 29-year-old CEO and entrepreneur, who was born and raised in Mossel Bay, started his first business in primary school,...

What impact climate change will have on service delivery in South Africa?
by Blessing Bongani Sibande, ACTIVATE! Change Drivers Will community service delivery be affected by climate change in the near future? Youth leaders in Mbombela debated how municipal service delivery planning will integrate with climate resiliency, as they celebrated...

Youth Taking Action to Combat GBVF In South Africa
by Tebelelo Lentsoane, ACTIVATE! Change Drivers National plans by government and civil society to combat the scourge of GBVF, must not ignore the vulnerable and marginalised groups on the periphery, including LGBTQI, sex workers, the disabled, and youth. The issue of...

South African Youth Are Creating Their Own Narrative
By Selokela Molamodi, Activator and conversationalist, Activate Change Drivers Youth culture is one of the fastest growing cultures globally. Whether it is music, fashion, language or even business, young people across the world are making their voices heard and their...

Our Heritage: A story Tradition and Transition
By Selokela Molamodi, Activator and conversationalist, Activate Change Drivers It is true that change is good and it takes time. The same can be said of tradition, but tradition also tracks and reflects time, casting our memories in stone. Heritage Day is one of the...

Our Heritage: Equipping and Empowering South African Youth
By Tlotliso Innocent May, Activate Change Drivers At the start our goal was straight forward – to equip young people who would further equip other young people and create a change that is backed by an interconnected network of young and able minded people who seek to...

NGO Obligations in South Africa
All registered NPOs must comply with the requirements of sections 16-23 of the Act. The main requirements are to submit reports and inform the Directorate of any changes within the NPO. The specifics are set out below. The Documentation of the NPO (section 16 & 17...

4 Major Challenges NGOs Face
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are organizations known to support and act on various causes. These causes differ based on the focus areas NGOs have. Each NGO is unique from each other. The likelihood of NGOs having the same focus area may be high, but their...

South African Women Are Strong Warriors
By Selokela Molamodi, Activator and Conversationalist at Activate Change Drivers This year’s Women’s Day marked 66 years since more than 20 000 brave women marched on the Union Buildings against the pass laws. Since then, every year we commemorate the various strides...

ACTIVATE Change Drivers: Media article and media invite AUGUST 2022 – Women’s Month
Empowering feminist youth voices to fight inequality and violence against women It is critical to empower youth feminist voices in the fight for the prevention of gender-based violence and gender inequality, and promote inclusive youth participation in addressing...