The local Black Sash branch has warned that without financial backing for civil society organisations, South Africa's democracy is under threat, leaving the nation's most vulnerable without support or recourse to social justice.
The local Black Sash branch has warned that without financial backing for civil society organisations, South Africa's democracy is under threat, leaving the nation's most vulnerable without support or recourse to social justice.
This comes as the veteran human rights organisation prepares to close its Grahamstown advice office at the end of next month. The closure of the office, five decades after it opened, is in line with their strategic plan to establish one consolidated Eastern Cape provincial office in Port Elizabeth, as well as a necessary response to the funding challenges that face civil society organisations in South Africa.
Black Sash Advocacy Programme Manager Jonathan Walton, who will continue to manage projects and programmes on behalf of the organisation in Grahamstown, said existing clients will continue to receive assistance. “If their matter has not been finalised by the end of February, the Black Sash will transfer their cases to our PE office, or refer them to a local service provider,” said Walton.
Black Sash National Director, Marcella Naidoo, said they were grateful for the contribution the office's early pioneers had made towards making human rights real for the communities in and around Grahamstown. However, she voiced her concern about how little funding established civil society organisations receive and how this impacts the work that they do.
“We believe it is now critical that South Africans, both businesses and individuals, begin to provide greater financial support to the NGOs that form the backbone of our democracy and deliver daily on our collective constitutional duty to protect and provide for the most vulnerable in our society."
The Black Sash Grahamstown advice office will not be taking on any new clients, but those needing free paralegal advice, rights education, monitoring and advocacy services from the organisation will still be able to call the Port Elizabeth office on 041 487 3288, the Black Sash National Helpline on 072 663 3739, or email help@blacksash.org.za.
