Mariel Zimmermann (on behalf of CORC) “Large mines in the Free State are falling on hard times. Subsequently, our Federation members are complaining that it is now difficult to find employment in the mining sector. Historically, some of our members have used mining as a significant source of income. This is difficult since some of […]
By Skye Dobson (On behalf of SA SDI Alliance and SDI Secretariat. Original post here) As the Black Panther movie continues to smash box office records and enthrall the world with fearless female African superheroes, a meeting in eThekwini last week suggests we brace ourselves for Women Transformers – coming to a city near you. […]
This blog was first published by openDemocracy, on the 26 September 2017. By SOPHIE KING A Manchester-South Africa exchange reveals striking similarities in the dynamics of urban inequality. Members of Mums Mart, Lower Broughton Life and the South African Alliance in South Africa, July 2017. Copyright: Sophie King. All rights reserved “It’s all about trust” said Marie […]
Compiled by Carmen Cancellari (on behalf of CORC) Through the Federation Income Generation Programme, FEDUP savers have an opportunity to establish small businesses to generate income through accessing and repaying loans. The financial aspect is crucial, but how can the Federation contribute to building solidarity and sharing among FEDUP business women? The experience of Patience, a […]
Compiled by Yolande Hendler (on behalf of CORC) How can daily saving help to generate income ? The experiences of FEDUP’s urban poor women offer tangible answers. This story is told by Nontombi, who lives in Samora informal settlement, in Philippi, Cape Town. I grew up in a business environment. There was a business at […]
“Saving is our heartbeat”, any member of South Africa’s Federation of the Urban Poor (FEDUP) will tell you. “This is how we organise, how we build trust, open spaces to talk and share, find ways to support each other and change our lives. We don’t collect money, we collect people.” Over the last twenty five […]
How can saving impact poor communities and influence inclusive development practice? On a recent visit to Manchester’s Global Development Institute FEDUP’s Patrick Matsemela responds to these questions by telling his story: “When I say I was a robber, it was because I had nothing to do. When the Federation (FEDUP) started, I collected scrap metal from […]
By Dan Silver, Diana Mitlin and Sophie King (crossposted from the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester) “We are poor, but we are not hopeless. We know what we are doing”. This is Alinah Mofokeng, one of three activists from the South African alliance of community organizations and support NGOs affiliated to Shack […]
By Ava Rose Hoffman (on behalf of CORC) From 8-12 March 2016, the South African SDI Alliance participated in a learning exchange in the United Kingdom with students at the University of Manchester and community organisations in the Greater Manchester area. Members of the of the South African SDI Alliance, community leaders Nkokheli Ncambele (ISN), Alina […]
By Yolande Hendler (on behalf of CORC) For Sylvia Mduli South Africa’s Youth Day on 16 June 2014 was energising and inspiring. She recounts how the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FEDUP) gathered seventy FEDUP youth coordinators from across the country for a workshop in Durban. Discussions focussed on the youth’s experiences on […]
