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Consultative Dialogue between the Southern Africa Trust and Zambian CSOs
17 August 2007
Intercontinental Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia
A consultative dialogue between the Southern Africa Trust and Zambian civil society organisations was held on 17 August 2007 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia. The dialogue was held in collaboration with the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) on the margins of the SADC heads of state summit that was held in Lusaka, on 16-17 August 2007.The following were the objectives of the dialogue:
- To introduce the work of the Southern Africa Trust to Zambian civil society organizations (CSOs);
- To discuss possible areas of collaboration between the Southern Africa Trust and Zambian CSOs;
- To understand the dynamics of CSOs in Zambia so as to enable the Trust to respond effectively to their needs; and
- Profiling the SADC Poverty and Development Conference.
The consultative dialogue was opened by Fr Joseph Komakoma, a Trustee of the Southern Africa Trust, who described the session as a significant interaction between the Southern Africa Trust and Zambian civil society organisations in establishing ways of collaboration.
- Introduction of the Trust
Neville Gabriel, Southern Africa Trust Executive Director, introduced the work of the Trust and empahsised the need for the Trust to engage with its partners in the region to identify areas of collaboration. He stressed that the approach of the Trust is to support engagement of CSOs in regional policy development and implementation based on the real experiences of people living in poverty. Mr. Gabriel noted that as much as our priority is on the region, the Trust wants to share knowledge and learn from existing projects on what has worked and what has not, and consequently provide space for constructive dialogue. In his presentation, he outlined the five main strategies of the Trust: capacity building; facilitating increased regional policy dialogue among governments, business and civil society; evidence based policy development; creating an enabling environment by promoting innovative practices and processes for engagement between CSOs, governments and business; and the provision of grants to a wide range of organisations to engage in regional poverty reduction policy work.
- Civil society work in Zambia: Key Issues, Emerging Trends and Challenges
Rev Malawo Matyola gave an overview of the work of Zambian CSOs. He explained that there are 12 000 registered CSOs in Zambia and these operate at various levels of interventions of poverty reduction and service delivery. Rev Matyola noted that the relationship between CSOs and the government is largely dependent on the goodwill of government. He however, also stressed that there is a high level of mistrust between CSOs and the government, to illustrate this, he gave the example of the much debated NGO Bill that is being tabled in parliament. He also noted that with the large number of CSOs in the country, it is difficult to determine the legitimacy of some. Rev Matyola informed the meeting that under the laws of Zambia, CSOs are registered under the Societies Act which gives the minister powers to de-register an organisation should he/she see fit.
Rev Matyola stressed the challenges among CSOs over the competition for scarce resources. He urged organisations to work together and have one voice in tabling issues with government so that there is a united voice.
During the discussion, the following issues emerged:
- The space for engagement is there but is highly dependent on the angle taken; if it is not to be seen as a threat by government;
- Space is never given but taken; government chooses when to engage;
- Funding support of CSOs is shrinking;
- Problem inherent with CSOs is that they are institutionally weak and lack sustainability plans;
- Government only consults when it is a pre-requisite from donors to government;
- There is lack of clarity in the way CSOs articulate their issues;
- CSOs are not good at re-strategising to suit current situations and remain relevant; and
- There is need for support of in-country programs to learn from other countries in the region, e.g. the proposed SADC gender protocol.
During the discussion, Mr. Gabriel informed the meeting of the upcoming Poverty and Development Conference to be held next year in Mauritius and cited this as an opportunity for CSOs in Zambia to prepare for the conference and give their input.
- Feedback from existing grant partners
The consultative dialogue had participants from the already existing grants portfolio and these were, Southern Africa Legal Assistance Network (SALAN), Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) and Civil Society Trade Network of Zambia (CSTNZ). The mentioned organizations gave an account of their relationship with the Trust concerning work supported and grants disbursed. The projects of these organizations supported by the Trust to these organizations range from policy dialogue in addressing livelihoods to policy dialogue addressing foreign investment. It was also noted by SALAN that the Trust has come on the scene as a unique donor focusing more on regional interventions without excluding any country in the region. One organization raised concerns about a delay in receiving a grant disbursement from the Trust.
Southern Africa Trust Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Denis Kadima, thanked the participants for attending and noted that it was an important and fruitful discussion. He also mentioned that the consultative dialogue was one of many that are taking place in other countries in the region, including in Mozambique, Angola and Madagascar. In his remarks, Mr. Kadima informed the meeting that the Trust plays the role of facilitator for other organisations to implement and build synergies to advance the cause of overcoming poverty in the region. He urged the participants to see the Trust as a cooperating partner. Mr Kadima referred all participants to Ms Caroline Nenguke who is the Trust’s liaison officer for Zambia.
ANNEXURE
List of participants
Participants list for
Consultative Dialogue with Zambia Civil Society
17 August 2007
Juliet Kaira Chibuta
SALAN Coordinator
Southern African Legal Assistance Network (SALAN) Secretariat
(Hosted by the Legal Resources Foundation- Zambia)
6th Floor Woodgate House
Box 35162
Lusaka
Zambia
Tel/Fax: 260-1-231845
E-mail: salan@zamnet.zm
www. salan.org
Martine B Chuulu
Regional Coordinator
Women and Law in
Southern Africa Research
and Education Trust
Regional Office
Po Box 34777, Lusaka Zambia
Plot 14022 off Katimamulilo Road, Olympia Extension,
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 1 291 888
Fax: +206 1 290 512
wlsazam@zamnet.zm
Stephen Muyakwa
Civil Society Trade Network of Zambia
P O Box 50882, Lusaka, Zambia
181b Bishop Road, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 1 266234
Fax: +260 1 261600
cstnz@coppernet.zm
Joseph Chilengi
Executive Director
Africa IDP Voice
Villa 1 Plot 397A Kafue Road
Opposite Zambia National Service
P.O. Box 32368
Lusaka, Zambia.
Tel +260 966 773258
Fax +260 977 773258
Mobile +254 723 898579 East Africa (Kenya, Uganda)
joseph.chilengi@africaidp.org
www.africaidp.org
Mulima Akapelwa
Executive Director
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR)
Plot No. 9169
Nanshila Road Kalundu
Tel: +260 1 290 154
Fax: +260 1 293 489
cspr@zamnet.zm
www.cspr.org.zm
Henry Machina
Coordinator
Zambia Land Alliance
Godfrey House
Longolongo Road
4th Floor, Rooms 4,5 and 6
Lusaka, Zambia.
Tel: +260 211 222 432
Fax: +260 211 237 677
Irene Banda
Executive Director
Organisation Development Community Management Trust (ODCMT)
Plot No 59A, Chachacha Road
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 231 322
Fax: +260 211 231 583
odcmt@microlink.zm
Lewis Mwape
Protect Management Association of Zambia
P. O. Box 37476
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 224 324
Robby Shabwanga
SALAN
P O Box 35162
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 223 758
Fax: +260 211 221 287
salan@zamnet.zm
John T Njovu
Zambia Evaluation Association
Tel: +260 977 882 861
njovuj@zra.org.zm and njovuj@yahoo.com
Samuel Mulafulafu
Director
Caritas Zambia
P O Box 31965
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 260 980
Cell: +260 955 791 527
Leah Mitaba
Communications and Advocacy Coordinator
NGOCC
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 224 727
Fax: +260 211 227 514
Mitabal1977@yahoo.co.uk
Tisah Sakala
Zambia Council for Social Development
Plot 59A, Chachacha Road
P O Box 34435
Lusaka, Zambia
zcsdsecretariat@yahoo.com
Lombe Mwambwa
Programmes Coordinator
Kalusha Bwalya Foundation
38 Mutende Road, Woodlands
P O Box 30391, Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 266 024
Cell: +260 977 303 373
www.kalushafoundation.org
Mulenga Fube
Youth Alive Zambia
RW 646 X, Lusaka
Tel/Fax: +260 211 293 559
yaz@zamnet.zm
Shalala Oliver Sepiso
Project Manager
Zambian NGOs e-Riding Project
Tel: +260 977 930 921
Fax: +260 211 253 952
ssepiso@gmail.com
Denis Kadima
Chairperson
Southern Africa Trust Board of Trustees
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
dkadima@eisa.org.za
Shirley Moulder
Trustee
Southern Africa Trust Board of Trustees
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
smoulder@mail.ngo.za
Rev Joseph Komakoma
Trustee
Southern Africa Trust Board of Trustees
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
jkomakoma@zec.org.zm
Perks Ligoya
Trustee
Southern Africa Trust Board of Trustees
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
casper@sdnp.org.mw
Alice Mogwe
Trustee
Southern Africa Trust Board of Trustees
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
Albot_2001@yahoo.com
Neville Gabriel
Executive Director
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
NGabriel@southernafricatrust.org
Themba Mhlongo
Adviser: Regional Integration
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
TMhlongo@southernafricatrust.org
Barbara Kalima-Phiri
Policy Analyst: Poverty Reduction Strategies
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
BKalima-Phiri@southernafricatrust.org
Petronilla Ndebele
Communications and Partnerships Manager
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
PNdebele@southernafricatrust.org
Mariam Sibanda
Business Manager
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
MSibanda@southernafricatrust.org
Ashley Green-Thompson
Grants Manager
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
AGreen-thompson@southernafricatrust.org
Elizabeth Byaruhanga
Fundraising and Reporting Coordinator
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
EByaruhanga@southernafricatrust.org
Carolina Julai
Project Officer
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
CJulai@southernafricatrust.org
Caroline Nenguke
Information and Communications Officer
Southern Africa Trust
P O Box 1234
Halfway House
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
CNenguke@southernafricatrust.org
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