Community Based Organisations

What are CBOs and CWs?

Like non-governmental organisations (NGOs), CBOs are non-profit organisations. This means their purpose is not economic gain for its members. Instead, they address social issues that affect their whole community, such as crime, HIV, human rights, care for the elderly, micro-economics/income generation, environmental issues, relief-aid etc. Whereas members of NGOs often do not belong to the communities they work in, CBOs are initiated by members of a particular neighbourhood with the purpose of addressing issues in their own vicinity. This means that members of CBOs are part of the specific community they seek to serve.

CWs are members of CBOs or individuals who work to uplift their communities by providing a social service.

Why do we work with CBOs and CWs?

In South Africa, most CBOs are found in impoverished areas. In these areas, “development work” by government and corporate initiatives is often confined to economic development, such as the building of houses, schools, roads, water and electricity supply etc. The social development that needs to accompany such infrastructural improvements often takes less priority, leading to increased criminal activity, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence etc. CBOs address these social issues and thus offer important services in their communities. However, they often receive limited support. Most CBOs are run by volunteer staff, with no or limited financial resources; as it is difficult for CBOs to source funding. Reasons for this are:

• CBOs often focus on delivering a service rather than on their internal administration. Donors thus often question CBOs’ ability to handle funds.
• CBOs have wide networks within their own community, but these do not always extend further. CBOs thus do not have the same access to information about local, national and international development initiatives and funding opportunities as bigger NGOs, for example.

CBOs are thus often overlooked by other role-players in the development sector. Funding for social initiatives is rather given to bigger, more established NGOs.

As Community Connections, however, we believe that CBOs are the most ideal structures for driving socio-economic development. They are initiated by members of the community, and are thus embedded within the neighbourhoods they serve. They also know about the real needs of their immediate environment. They understand the dynamics of their community, and are often directly affected by the injustices they strive to eradicate. Strengthening CBOs is therefore an important task, if a transformation of South Africa’s society leading to sustainable development is to be achieved.

Which CBOs and CWs do we work with?

We have worked with CBOs in the greater Cape Town region, but also in rural areas of South Africa’s Western Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. Our main target group, however, are CBOs and CWs in the Cape Flats area. Their services are widespread, but we mainly work with organisations involved in the fields of HIV/Aids (prevention and care), early childhood development or youth, arts/culture, women/gender and the environment.