Brigitte Borgches is the Finance and Operations Manager for The Black Sash Trust, a shareholder organization of Ditikeni Investment Company. She is also a Director of the Ditikeni Investment Company Limited, and a trustee for The Ditikeni Trust. We sat down with her, to ask her a couple of questions.
Q: How long have you been involved with Ditikeni?
A: I’ve been involved (in the above roles) since September 2018
Q: What is the role that NPOs and NGOs play in South Africa, and how does Ditikeni support this work?
A: NPOs and NGOs play a vital role to protect as well strengthen our democracy, support developmental goals, provide critical relief services and hold government accountable to deliver on its constitutional obligations. Even as the demand for the sector’s services continues to grow, NGOs and NPOs are facing significant funding challenges. Ditikeni’s innovative approach to funding revenue, will help to ensure the financial sustainability of the sector by providing an alternative source of income outside of traditional funding sources.
Q: What is your wish for the brave men and women who work in the NGO sector?
A: The demand for the sector’s services has escalated given the economic, health and humanitarian crisis following the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdown restrictions, while necessary to save lives, have further impacted on the ability to implement programmes. Despite the challenges on multiple fronts, NGO staff, volunteers and activists continue to rise above these challenges in innovative and remarkable ways to deliver on their mandate and serve vulnerable communities. The sacrifices and the tenacity this takes is applauded, and I wish everyone in the sector strength for the days still ahead.
Q: Where can people find out more about your organisation and its work?
A: To find out more about the Black Sash, please visit our website www.blacksash.org.za, email info@blacksash.org.za or call 021 686 6952. The Black Sash also offers a free paralegal advice, information and referral service for social assistance, social insurance, labour and consumer rights. To contact the Black Sash national Helpline, you can call, SMS, send a WhatsApp message or even a ‘please call me’ to 072 663 3739 or 063 610 1865 (normal cell phone rates) or send an email to help@blacksash.org.za If you need a paralegal to contact you, please send your contact details and a brief summary of the issue. Do have a look at our Helpline flyer for further information.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
A; The Covid-19 pandemic has made the need for more expansive social protection measures all the more urgent. Following the termination of the Covid-19 Social of Relief Grant, those aged 18 to 59 years, who are unemployed and have little to no income are yet again excluded from social security programmes. Please support our Basic Income Support campaign, by signing our petition and endorsing our campaign. To find out more, please email bis@blacksash.org.za
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