October 2011

1. VOSESA Conference Sizwe Nxasana October 2011

2. VOSESA CONFERENCE • The value of volunteerism • Service a growing phenomenon • The regional agenda • The role of government • The role of business

3. The Value of Volunteerism Imagine how many needs would go unanswered without volunteers.... • The opportunity for people to make a contribution • Linkage back to volunteers’ own society • Commitment and solidarity • willingness to work for reduced salary and conditions - an expression of partnership • Skills transfer • diversity of skills brought by volunteers builds social capital • Confidence building • Encourages social inclusion and integration • Contributes to a stable and cohesive society • Volunteers bringing an outsiders perspective, independence and contacts • Volunteering has a role to play in promoting employment by enhancing the employability of the unemployed

4. Volunteerism and Service in our Culture Service has historically deep cultural roots in Africa • Our cultural beliefs and practices encourage collective responsibility, community support systems and collaboration. • Environments of social and political unrest, economic instability and poverty have fostered this culture. • In Africa, typically servers are poor and vulnerable themselves. • Volunteering dominated by women who are regarded as the caregivers and anchors in their communities.

5. Service a growing phenomenon in the country Social service/volunteer organisations in a position to shape development Voluntary associations are usually coupled with Community Based Organisations (CBOs) as they are traditionally informal types of organisations that are rooted in communities they serve. Social Services include – services for the handicapped, elderly, youth, child welfare, family services, self help and other personal social services Source : 2010/11 State Of South African Registered Nonprofit Organisations, Department Of Social Development, April 2011

6. Volunteering as a national and regional agenda Social service/volunteer organisations in a position to shape development • SADC countries have adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - however the region is faced with many challenges in achieving these goals. • Achieving the MDGs will require the resourcefulness and creativity of millions of ordinary people through voluntary action. • Government programmes typically have scarce resources and manpower. • Government efforts will be dependent on involvement of communities and volunteer organisations. MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education MDG 3: Promote gender equality & empower women MDG 4: Reduce child mortality MDG 5: Improve maternal health MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability MDG 8: Develop a global partnership for development

7. Partnership with Government Volunteering and community engagement empower people to change the world from the grassroots up, especially when enabled by strong partnerships at every level. • Volunteer Organisations’ main role is to service the needs of people and can assist government in achieving their social development goals because : • they are largely concentrated in areas of service delivery at local level, to address immediate needs • they are located much closer to the needs of the people than government needs of poor communities • they are able to create a sense of community that government agencies cannot • they enjoy comparative advantage in service delivery due to their more consultative approach, a focus on community empowerment, and ability to respond more directly and immediately than government to community needs. • they serve those in greatest need.

8. The Role of Government volunteering is much more visible on the agenda of international organisations, governments and civil society organisations • Establish an enabling environment for volunteer organisations • legal and policy • Develop overall integrated strategies for promoting volunteering in partnership with volunteer societies • Raise public awareness about the value of volunteering • Promoting youth volunteering • high unemployment rate amongst the youth – volunteering helps the youth acquire skills and keeps them busy • Promoting private sector support • Tax and other incentives • Regional and International support • Facilitate regional and international collaboration

9. The Role of Business Capitalism with a human face • A business is a community of people with a purpose • Business must set the pace in areas such as: Human Rights • Transformation • HIV/AIDS • Education • Skills development • Occupational Health and Safety • “The business of business is not only business”

10. The FirstRand Foundation and Philosophy Given the challenges faced by South African society, FirstRand’s strategy is not about marketing or publicity, it is about ensuring change for those who need it most. • FirstRand invested more than R700m in social development since 1998 • Driven by social development imperatives not business pressures • Programmatic approach • large multi-year grants • focus on specific areas for maximum impact • aligned to national policies • Monitoring and Evaluation • Benefits • stronger relationships, greater impact, sustainability, more than money

11. The FirstRand Foundation and Philosophy Sectors we support Vital Statistics Grant making of R66 million in 2010/2011 Projected availability +- R95 million in 2011/2012 50% in education 10 programmes 174 initiatives supported Average grant is R380 000 • Education: Maths education, early childhood development and the provision of bursaries to financially disadvantaged learners; • HIV/Aids: The hospice sector offer palliative care to those predominately affected by the HIV/Aids pandemic; • Agricultural livelihood interventions: Financial support goes towards sustainable initiatives focused on food security projects; • Arts, culture and heritage: Supporting the enhancement of South African cultural activities, especially music, dance and the preservation of our heritage; • Environment: Conservation initiatives and environmental awareness programmes are supported; and • Community care: Promoting safer communities, supporting victims of gender-based violence and protecting vulnerable children.

12. CONCLUSION • We can all make a difference to humanity • High levels of youth unemployment, volunteering can help channel energies of the youth • We need more social cohesion to promote peace, stability and growth.