Toolkit – Interest Groups – South African Christian Directory

INDEX

Engagement with Business

Business leaders to be part of city/town leadership and process
There could be tension between church and business leaders: the saying “if church leaders are are leading the process, it is too slow and if business leads, it is too fast” applies here
Business brings an enormous scope of resources and influence on the process e.g. strategic thinking, ethical standards, accountability, networking, funding, creating opportunities, etc

Engagement with NGOs, NPOs & CBOs

NGO/NPOs/CBOs are fulfilling a huge role in terms of justice, upliftment and community development
NGO/NPO/CBO leaders to be part of city/town leadership and process
In many cases Churches have established NPOs as part of their community outreach programme (NPO is a registered body)
In many places NGOs are part of a city/town wide network to connect, communicate and collaborate
Connect Network in Cape Town has more than 90 NPOs with the focus on women and children at risk and is part of VIVA International: https://connectnetwork.org.za/the-network/affiliates/
Valcare in Paarl consists of more than 200 NGOs: https://valcare.org.za/member-list/
We are Durban provides services to more than 200 NGOs: http://wearedurban.com/
There is an NGO network in Nelson Mandela Bay where members meet on a regular basis
SCAN in Stellenbosch with some 180 NGOs: https://stellenboschunite.org/ngos/
Piet Retief has a network of 60 NPOs

Engagement with Institutions of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation

In metros/cities/towns with Universities, Colleges, FETs and HEIs it can be beneficial to incorporate their academic perspectives, knowledge, innovative ideas, research capacities, networks, technology, etc to the city/town process
Kingdom Valley Leans invited Dr Fay Hodza from IIE MSA (Independent Institution of Education, Monash University), Centre for Transformative Research, to facilitate research through values-based strategic engagement as a research initiative which is currently underway. https://web.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=345617426321585&ref=watch_permalink
In Nelson Mandela Bay ongoing engagement with the Nelson Mandela University: http://tcn.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Development-Strategy-for-Metro-10-7-13-02.pdf

Engagement with Education in Schools

It is advisable to engage with Secondary and Primary School management and governing bodies
The Centre for Public Witness is prioritising the engagement with schools and principals in the towns where they operate: http://getuienis.christians.co.za/100-dorpe-dialoog-projek/; https://www.publiekegetuienis.org/100dorpedialoog
Rise-Up: Teachers Conference in Durban.
Durban: The Whole Child. https://city-story.org/the-whole-child/
In Nelson Mandela Bay all schools are mapped per ward.

Engagement with Health Services

It is advisable to engage with Health Services
In Nelson Mandela Bay all health services (hospitals & clinics) are mapped per ward

Engagement with Government Structures

Effective and ongoing engagement with metro/city/town municipality: management, officials, and councillors
Effective and ongoing engagement with Provincial Government Departments

Engagement with Security Services

Valuable role of media (including social media) as form of sharing God’s stories, news, events and information and online platforms

Effective and ongoing utilisation of local and regional TV, radio, newspapers and social media platforms
In Nelson Mandela Bay weekly newspaper articles are published by senior church leaders under the topic: Church in the Community: http://tcn.org.za/about-tcn/press-releases-2/herald-columns/; and, Church speaks out: http://tcn.org.za/church-speaks-out/
PE ChurchNet: directory of churches, ministries, and Christian businesses in Port Elizabeth providing contact details, resources, links, events, and prayer requests: http://pechurchnet.co.za/