PURPOSE STATEMENT Background Farming is the most dominant economic activity with lighter industries in and on the towns outskirts.In recent years, the area had been plagued by severe drought, municipal service delivery problems and a globally publicized court case following the murder of a young farmer and subsequent arrest of two suspects. These incidents had a negative impact on the otherwise peaceful community. Even though various efforts were initiated to address the challenges facing the community, an overall, all-inclusive approach was needed to engage all community members and revitalize the town and its surroundings to new glory. Responding to this need the Senekal / Matwabeng Community Forum (SMCF) was established to initiate, develop, implement and coordinate projects that will uplift the town and all community members. The SMCF should also demonstrate that communities can work together despite political and ideological differences. The end goal is to create a town that will be attractive for investors and the residents can flourish. RATIONALE AND REASON Challenges with service delivery, crime, corruption and safety, specifically in the country and rural areas, necessitates communities to take ownership of their own well-being and their environment. Communities realize their future is in their own hands and must take ownership and responsibility for it. Studies have shown that crime is directly linked when decay and lack of response to it occurs. The broken windows theory is a criminological theory that states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes. The theory was introduced in a 1982 article by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. It was further popularized in the 1990s by New York City police commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose policing policies were influenced by the theory. The “last straw that broke the camel’s back” in the Senekal / Matwabeng area, was a crime incident that took place in a nearby town district called Paul Roux. Crime is a major problem and is fueled by unemployment, irresponsible political activities, and a general sense of lawlessness. However, crime cannot be addressed overnight. It will also not have a long-term effect when perpetrators are merely arrested and jailed for a short period of time. Crime and other challenges start with creating a work and living environment that is safe, secure, functional, prosperous and well maintained. The environment must be attractive for investors and people who would like to move to the countryside. To create such an environment calls upon the efforts of all members of the community to contribute or do something. It is also important that efforts are well coordinated, managed and governed. Challenges with service delivery, crime, corruption and safety, specifically in the country and rural areas, necessitates communities to take ownership of their own well-being and their environment. Communities realize their future is in their own hands and must take ownership and responsibility for it. The SMCF formed a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) with five Trustees. The Trustees will be allocated responsibilities within a management structure as proposed in the diagram above. The initiating and Members of the Board of Trustees for 2021are: Chairperson - Giel Bekker Community Liaison - Senekal: Emmanuel Jardim Community Liaison - Matwabeng: John Mathuhle Project Management - Senekal: Mike Odendaal Project Management - Matwabeng: Petrus Maine Manyatsho A formal Constitution was drafted which will guide and govern the activities of SMCF. The SMCF has no membership or affiliations and all community members are encouraged to participate voluntarily. Attempts will be made to source funding through donations, sponsors, cloud funding, etc. Funds will only be spent on activities directly related to the projects initiated and mandated by the Trustees. Initially the Trustees will meet formally on a bi-weekly basis to consolidate efforts, monitor progress, initiate new projects, update projects status and plan resource requirements. The Trustees shall also hold a database of potential suppliers, funders and work resources. SA Day The work approach is based on the South Africa Day model of Cleaning, Repairing, Painting and Planting (CRPP). A fifth category was added namely Projects, which will list and monitor larger, longer term projects. Various experts and facilitators will be approached to guide the process and make available knowledge and resources where possible. The initiative is actively supported by Mr Barend La Grange, COO of South Africa Day. the SLM and public is key to any successful community and therefor mechanisms have been established by government to facilitate this relationship. One such mechanism is the Guideline on Public Participation produced by the Department of Public Service and Administration. This guideline provides practical steps to establish and institutionalise public participation activities and bodies to support government’s obligation to service delivery. The SMCF is a pro-active initiative from the public to engage with the SLM and actively drive projects and initiatives to better the livelihood of citizens within the Constitutional intent of South Africa. The SMCF shall engage on a regular basis with SLM to ensure cooperation and alignment on issues and activities concerning the communities. Facilitated by Prof Giel Bekker, the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria has committed to encourage engineering students to conduct their community development projects in the Senekal / Matwabeng area. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING MoU A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was agreed and signed with the Setsoto Local Municipality (SLM). According to the MoU, the following engagement conduct will be adhered to: The SMCF will compile and continuously update a formal list of projects and activities with responsibilities and target dates allocated. At least fourteen (14) working days prior to the start of a project, the SMCF will forward a formal Request for Project Support (RFPS) to a nominated SLM representative (Director: Development Planning & Social Security). The RFPS will explain the intent of the project, the location, scope, duration, and funding as well as assistance and possible resources requested from SLM. The SLM will respond within five (5) working days indicating their response in terms of continuation and level support that could be provided. The SLM will delegate a team that will be working hand in glove with SMCF team on all the identified projects in order to ensure partnership/collaboration. The starting date, location and time will be confirmed on the RFPS. Any work done outside or additional to the RFPS scope will be to the account of the initiating body. In such case that the SLM is not able to respond within five (5) working days, the project will continue with the SMCF taking full responsibility for logistical and resources provisions. PROJECT MANAGEMENT The initiation, execution and coordination of project will be done in a structured manner, as agreed in the MoU. The process from initiation to close-out is explained in the diagram below: Initiate: Identify the project, complete the RFPS and submit to SLM via the SMCF Chairperson. Execute: Implement the project as describe and agreed in the RFPS Close: Complete a Close-out form and provide a maintenance plan. A Project Register will be kept, and progress will be reported to stakeholders. During the initial meetings various projects have been listed with the first project, namely the cleanup of the Litjhobo Stadium initiated on 06 November 2020. The master list will be kept and updated on a regular basis. Target dates and responsibilities were allocated to some projects and captured in the consolidated projects list. Projects associated with provincial initiatives, such as the new water reservoir and pipelines were also listed for status monitoring purposes. GO TO OUR LIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT LIST Media and Communication The instant message applications of WhatsApp and Telegram will be used for communication. Subscribe and view our video's on YouTube. A Facebook page was launched developed which will communicate the following: Progress on projects shown before and after photos. Advertising of donors and sponsors. Progress reporting on specific projects. Acknowledgement of funders and workers. VISIT OUR FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE FUNDING The SMCF intends to be self-funded. Funding will be sourced from: Businesses Sponsors Individuals Lotto (if possible for social upliftment initiatives) Crowd funding Public, Private and Cultural Organisations Events Any other willing resource Project work will be done mostly on a voluntary basis however, depending on funds available, resources will be employed and remunerated on a temporary of full-time basis if possible. CLICK FOR BANKING DETAILS Conclusion The purpose of the SMCF is to revitalize the town and improve the livelihood of Senekal / Matwabeng residents. The SMCF is non-political and any person that is a member of a political party participate as an individual and not as a representative of the party. The SMCF aim to work in close collaboration with SLM and will be in constant communication regarding projects and progress. HomePurpose StatementVision & MissionForum JourneyGoals for 2021DonateBlog SENEKAL MATWABENG COMMUNITY FORUM SENEKAL, SOUTH AFRICA COPYRIGHT © 2021 SENEKAL MATWABENG COMMUNITY FORUM - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DEVELOPED BY: SMART-WEB-SITES.COM We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. ACCEPT