Gqeberha, Eastern Cape - In a remarkable display of unity and shared vision, DO4SA successfully orchestrated its first-ever charity symposium at the prestigious Tramways venue Wednesday, 17th May 2023. This momentous gathering was motivated by DO4SA's realization of the dire need for increased collaboration among non-profit organizations (NPOs), acknowledging the inherent challenges faced by individual entities striving to make a significant impact in isolation. By fostering connections within the same field, DO4SA aimed to facilitate collective efforts and empower NPOs to achieve greater outcomes together. While competition naturally exists among NPOs, the symposium aimed to illuminate the untapped potential for complementarity, emphasizing that by joining forces, they can achieve so much more. The underlying motive behind this symposium was to foster collaboration and enlighten influential individuals, particularly CSR representatives, who possess the power and resources to fund NPOs. It is DO4SA's conviction that NPOs are the unsung heroes in our communities, tirelessly working to effect positive change.
Siraj Ebrahim, the Project Coordinator for DO4SA, hailing from Johannesburg, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "As the project coordinator for Do4SA, a philanthropic and fundraising organization dedicated to promoting social good in South Africa, I am delighted to witness the realization of our vision. We are privileged to have garnered the participation of 25 esteemed organizations, demonstrating their commitment to making this Charity Symposium a resounding success. The impressive turnout truly underscores the significance of the concept we aim to introduce to Port Elizabeth."
Simultaneously, the objective of the symposium was to provide corporates and the general public with a favorable occasion to interact with the non-profit organizations (NPOs) participating in the event. This objective was successfully accomplished, as several corporates made an effort to attend, although a greater turnout was anticipated to engage with potential organizations that share similar synergies in empowering communities. Moreover, the public actively participated and established connections with various organizations. Notably, Miss Port Elizabeth, who attended the gathering, demonstrated keen interest in collaborating with some of the organizations as part of her charitable responsibilities as Miss Port Elizabeth.
We managed to take a tour and visited a few stalls to hear about the organizations experience and a brief background about who they are, including their offerings, and the below is what they shared:
Natalie Petzer, a program facilitator at Uitenhage Mental Health Homes, shared her perspective on the symposium, affirming, "This idea holds tremendous value as it provides invaluable opportunities for charities. Often, our efforts go unnoticed, and by partaking in this collaborative endeavor, we can enhance our visibility."
Marvelous Zenzile, a Public Relations Intern at the Bona uBuntu Programme, reflected on her experience at the charity symposium, shedding light on the support programs available for visually impaired individuals. She stated, "My involvement in this program and participation in today's charity symposium has unveiled the general lack of awareness surrounding the support programs for the visually impaired. It is vital for everyone to understand that dreams can be pursued through inclusive support programs that encompass every facet of life. I am delighted to have learned from the other organizations present at this event, fostering a network of potential collaborations that will undoubtedly bring sustainable improvement to the lives of the visually impaired."
Ruan Coetzee - founder of Gudco & GudFoundation, expressing his thoughts on the symposium, emphasized its significance in bringing NPOs and public benefit organizations in the Nelson Mandela Bay area to the forefront. He noted, "This symposium provides an excellent platform for NPOs and corporates to familiarize themselves with the individuals driving these charities, thereby enabling them to forge future alliances. When corporates seek to align themselves with a cause, this symposium will serve as a reference point, allowing them to consider NPOs they have encountered in their pursuit of social impact. It is imperative that we find corporate partners who share a synergy with our foundation, particularly those in the sanitation space or those already engaged in eco-friendly product manufacturing with a vested interest in corporate social investment."
Shaan Keegan, reporting from the event on behalf of Sisterhood SA, joyfully announced the achievements gained through the symposium, exclaiming, "The DO4SA event has been an astounding success for Sisterhood SA! We have secured grant interest with a local company and earned collaboration interest from Miss PE, who would like to create awareness and promote our product during the course of her reign. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to DO4SA for hosting this momentous occasion, and we are profoundly grateful for it”.
From our perspective, we wholeheartedly endorse this initiative as an indispensable means to facilitate networking opportunities for organizations to foster collaboration. The symposium has effectively introduced us, along with others, to a multitude of remarkable organizations that were previously unfamiliar to us. During our interactions with the SANCOOB team, we were enlightened about the predicament faced by some of the homeless seabirds due to recent rainfall in the city, as well as the potential involvement of the community in establishing secure and nurturing habitats for these seabirds during such circumstances. But overall, we eagerly anticipate the growth of this gathering and the increased participation of corporates, fostering partnerships with these exceptional organizations.
Images by: Amanda Williams
For more information about DO4SA visit: do4sa.org