Feedback Report: SayProCDR Attendance at Diepsloot Services Forum

Date of Forum: May 7, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: Tlhabologo Opportunity Centre

1. Opening Remarks

The forum convened at the Tlhabologo Opportunity Centre with various stakeholders in attendance, including representatives from NGOs, NPOs, and other service providers. Nthabiseng highlighted that new organizations were given the opportunity to present, underscoring the importance of bringing diverse contributions to the forum.

2. Key Updates and Discussions:

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Forum:

Papi informed the forum that a GBV event will be organized, with the Diepsloot Water and Sanitation Forum also discussed briefly.

New Matters Arising:

Cart Car Training: It was noted that cart car training had resumed after being halted.

Youth Engagement: DYP (Diepsloot Youth Program) has managed to secure additional space for youth-related activities, providing a better platform for youth development in the area.

GBV Forum Mandate:

Mr. Chokwe suggested that the forum reassemble as there was a previous agreement regarding the GBV forum’s role in organizing or planning the women’s forum event.

The TASK Team will be engaged for the Youth Celebration scheduled for June. Volunteers for the event are entitled to attend weekly planning meetings, and four volunteers have been confirmed so far.

Inginitious was nominated for the TASK team after their presentation.

Accountability and Participation:

Nthabiseng noted that some organizations only attend the forum when they have ongoing projects. Once their projects are completed, these organizations cease participation.

Lalas addressed the issue of organizations attending due to expectations of business opportunities rather than genuine interest in collaboration.

Papi emphasized that the City of Johannesburg established this forum for NGOs and NPOs to work collectively and that organizations must comply with its mandates. Arrogance and lack of collaboration would not be tolerated.

Guidelines and Documentation:

A suggestion was made to create guidelines or an induction process for new organizations, ensuring they have the proper documentation before presenting or participating in the forum.

It was stressed that organizations should report back if their funding ends, and if they are closing down, they should notify the forum accordingly.

3: Report from Organizations

A variety of organizations provided updates:

Action Break Silence: Reported that they would be leading a capacity-building initiative.

Helen Joseph Clinical Services: They introduced a social worker to be part of the forum but stated they would no longer participate due to funding issues.

Witkoppen: Announced that prices for their services would be increasing starting May 1, 2025.

Palesa from Wolt-If: Shared information about their women’s venture program.

Department of Labour: Confirmed they had received an email from the provincial office and were tasked with finding a suitable venue.

Papi from Diepsloot Youth Program: Shared news that the program would be representing Diepsloot in the water and sanitation forum. They had also secured registration for the Arthur Molepo Foundation and managed to place Inginitious kids for the G20 event. Additionally, Inginitious Dance Evolution Funk was conducting training with the youth, and there were interviews with Multichoice to suggest Diepsloot youth for broadcast opportunities.

Selaelo Chuene Art Centre: Reported working alongside Diepsloot Youth Program.

City of Joburg: Announced that a supply chain event would be held at NPCC Hall, Ext 07.

Vuki Sensele: Announced that Clicks had donated Colgate products and expressed gratitude for support from the Department of Social Development (DSD) and City of Johannesburg.

Vuselele: Reported updates were still pending.

Zwakala Mojita: Highlighted their lack of resources but shared plans for a Father’s Day event in June.

4. Announcements

Balance Women Program (Babusi): An event will be held on May 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM, focusing on digital skills, mentorship, and recreating confidence among participants. This will be followed by an outreach initiative.

5. Closure

The forum concluded with a call for increased collaboration and participation from all involved organizations. It was emphasized that organizations should be transparent about their funding status and be proactive in informing the forum about project completion and closures.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Diepsloot Services Forum continues to be a crucial platform for dialogue and coordination among NGOs and NPOs in the region. However, there is a need for greater accountability, transparency, and structured participation. Organizations should be encouraged to adhere to the forum’s guidelines and provide regular updates on their projects, especially once funding concludes. Additionally, the creation of formal guidelines for new organizations and more effective communication strategies would enhance the functionality of the forum.

The SayProCDR team values the opportunity to participate and looks forward to future collaborations that can contribute to the betterment of the Diepsloot community.