COURSE CODE: POLI 418 COURSE TITLE: NOGS AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA GROUP SIX (6)

THE ROLE OF NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION IN BOTSWASNAS DEVELOPMENT Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) emerged in the 1920s and spread throughout the developing world.They were formed mostly by the wealthy and rich classes who wanted care and welfare services to the poor. They did this by deriving resources from the rich to help the poor. As time went on they developed from charities and welfare in nature into philanthropic organizations.There are a mix of forces which have fuelled the rapid rise and prominence of NGOs. To Deborah Braudigaum. The inability of governments to implement its policies and accomplish its goals and declining markets in Africa has led to the proliferation of NGOs as the only alternative to promote grassroots development. The term NGOs is broad and ambiguous. It covers a range of organizations within civil society, from political action groups to sports clubs. However, it can be argued that all NGOs can be regarded as civil society organization though not all civil society organizations are NGOs. Like most social science concept,Its clear definition still remains contested. Mike Oquaye describes NGOs as all forms of private organizations set up by individuals, groups, bodies or organizations for the purpose of pursuing certain aims policies or programs independent of government. Another scholar Streeton, NGOs are non-profit-seeking organizations, some

indigenous, othersforeign,some professional, others are those whose principal aim is to contribute to the reduction of human suffering and to the development in poor countries.On the whole however, it is widely accepted that NGOs are organizations which pursue activities to relieve the suffering, promote interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, and undertake community development (Cleary, 1997). Thus, the development oriented NGOs are not only located between the state and the market, in terms of institutional space, but are also emerging as what Levy calls, a critical third sector that fosters the development of the marginalized groups.They come in different forms and may undertake or sponsor activities that lie outside their field, with the main aim of helping their target group. Various types include Community-Based Organizations(CBOs), Service or intermediary NGOs, Internal Relief and development, International NGOs, among others. Botswana, often described as the Jewel of Africa because of its beauty, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The capital is Gaborone.Botswana became independent within the commonwealth on September 30th September 1966. Botswana was one of the poorest countries in Africa when it gained independence from Britain. It has since transformed itself becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the world to a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of 14000.The country boasts of the oldest tradition of representative democracy where collective decision-making is arrived at through consultation.NGOs in Botswana are emerging in a country that has done very well in terms of socio-economic development and management. With a population of about 2million,Botswana is blessed with the discovery diamonds. The government has, over the years used the finances earned from the diamond industry to develop the economy and provide a variety of developmental and social services for its people. The country has also adopted very good macroeconomic management policies which have helped Botswana to design

and implement various infrastructural and developmental projects. The country boasts of one of the longest surviving democracies in all of Africa and also has a stable political economy. Nongovernmental organizations play an important role in any country. The following are some renounced NGOs in Botswana and their activities. Ditshwanelo The Botswana Centre For Human Rights The Centre for Human Rights was established in 1993 with overall objective of the creation of a human rights culture in Botswana (Ditshwanelo, 2004). Ditshwanelo is the only not-for-profit organization in Botswana responsible for dealing with human rights issuesin the countru.as out lined in the centers mission, the center seeks to affirm human dignity and equality irrespective of gender , ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation , social status or political convictions (Ditshwanelo, 2004:3). The Centres mission is linked to Botswanas National Vision 2016, which stipulates that everyone should be accorded the right to live their lives with dignity. Overall, the center strives to achieve a society which: Everyone is equal before the law The general population will be aware of what human rights are and understands and support the rights of those who are different from themselves. The public hears about human rights violation and puts pressure on the government and /or perpetuators to redress the violation. Everyone understands their rights and is aware of opportunities to redress their matters Everyone has access to affordable legal assistance. Everyone has the confidence and skills necessary to be able to stand up for their rights.

They educate, research and counsel mediate on human rights issues with particular reference to people who are marginalized and disempowered.Based on the outstanding work of Ditshwanelo, the Centre for Human rights has received a number of international awards. The Director and founder, Alice Nogwe, a lawyer, who for fifteen years has worked tirelessly to improve human rights in Botswana and across the Southern region, was awarded in 2005, the: Chevalier de Iordre National du Merite from government of the republic of France In March 2005, Ms. Mogwe was presented with US state dept awards fOr her contribution as a vanguard womens leader of Botswana. In May 2000 too, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission based in the USA honoured Ditshwanelo. Emang Basadi Womens Association This is a womens organization which was established in 1986 by a group of women interested in improving the legal, social, cultural, and economic status of women in Botswana. The t he main objectives of Emang Basadi (Stand Up Women) include the identification of problems related to women through discussion and research and the development of action oriented strategies with a view to change the socio-economic and legal status of women. Furthermore, the association aims at mobilizing and increasing awareness among women and the public regarding specific problems faced by women. Emang Basadi also aims to emphasize the role of women and enhance the recognition of womens participation in national development. Issues relating to greater social equality and the removal of cultural and legal barriers, which prohibits the advancement of women, are the integral parts of Emangs mandate (Emang Basadi, 2006). Emang Basadi targetsgroups of women in politics and decision making positions, womens

wings of political parties, as well as the youth and voters in general. The organization is involved in a variety of activities, including research which lies particularly in the areas of law, rape, and violence against women. Emang Basadi also offers leadership skills training to women who arein politics and managerial positions.This NGO had been successful in a variety of areas, including the supervision of the October 2004 national elections, together with Ditshwanelo. Some of Emangs publications include Women and Law in Botswana (19987), Gender and development of Women Politicians (1980), and Setting an Agenda for Womens Empowerment Towards 1999 (1997). Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) This NGO is funded by the government and other donor agencies. BNYC is mainly interested in promoting the interests of the youth in the country through programs that provide such things as youth economic and political empowerment. The NGO strives to promote the status of the youth and also lobbies the government in order to garner support for the youth aspiring for leadership positions, changes to the health system to make it more youth friendly, as well as promoting their involvement and influence on issues relating to land allocation in the country. The BNYC has had some impact in promoting the interests of youth people in the country. For instance, through BNYC youth were successful in lobbying the government in order to reduce the age for membership to the land board from 30 years of age to 28 (Maundeni, 2005). Trade unions Trade unions also play a significant role in the civil society in Botswana. The most significant trade unions are the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Botswana Secondary Teachers Union (BOFETU) and the Botswana Primary Schools

Association (BOPRITA). They seek to promote the collective bargaining interest of workers in Botswana. Botswana also benefits from the strategic role of international NGOs in the country. Governments from different parts of the world support work in different areas of social, welfare,poverty alleviation, environmental management among others. These NGOs are the United Nations African Development Foundation, The Red Cross, and The United Nations Programme on AIDS. UNITED STATES AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN The United States African Development Foundation is an independent Federal agency established to support African-designed and African-driven solutions that address grassroots economic and social problems in conflict. USADF is a public corporation with a seven member Board of Directors who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. The United States African Development Foundation provides grants of up to $250,000 in grants to community groups and small enterprises that benefit under served and marginalized groups in Africa. Marginalized groups are people that have significant needs that are not being currently addressed by existing governments programs, NGOs, or other international development efforts. USADF measures grant success in terms of jobs, increased incomes levels, and improved social conditions. USADF is achieving tangible results. The current USADF portfolio consists of 400 project grants and 120 small grants. These grants affect an estimated 900,000 people in marginalized communities by providing people with the opportunity to engage in the development process and

gain social and economic benefits. More than $265 million dollars in new economic activities has been generated by these active projects. They work hard at complementing the governments. Efforts at providing basic infrastructural needs by focusing on the San and remote Kgalagdi groups as well as in small rural villages around Palpye and Serowe. Action for Economic Empowerment Trust-AEET is USADF's Botswana partner organization, and its staff contributes to the socio-economic development of Botswana by helping communitybased enterprises and locally owned small businesses initiate, implement, and manage sustainable income generating activities and business plans in rural and urban areas of the country. At the core of AEET's activities is the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that generate income and employment opportunities for the disadvantaged. BOTSWANA RED CROSS SOCIETY BRCS is an impartial, neutral and independent voluntary AID organization auxiliary to the government of Botswana established in March 1,1968, under an Act of Parliament (CAP 64:01) as a humanitarian organization with the mandate to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters so as to alleviate human suffering by providing service to the most vulnerable. BRCS as an independent National Society, gained recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in February 1970 and in 1971, BRCS was endorsed into the League of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Governed by seven Fundamental principles, BRCS currently offers programmes on the Dissemination of Information on the Movements Fundamental Principles and BRCS Activities, Tracing, HIV/AIDS Peer Education Project, In-and out-of-school-based youth programs,

Disaster Response and Disaster Preparedness, First Aid Training, Community-Based Rehabilitation and Branch Development. UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. UNAIDS fulfills its mission by: Uniting the efforts of the United Nations system, civil society, national governments, the

private sector, global institutions and people living with and most affected by HIV; Speaking out in solidarity with the people most affected by HIV in defense of human

dignity, human rights and gender equality; Mobilizing political, technical, scientific and financial resources and holding ourselves

and others accountable for results; Empowering agents of change with strategic information and evidence to influence and

ensure that resources are targeted where they deliver the greatest impact and bring about a prevention revolution; and Supporting inclusive country leadership for sustainable responses that are integral to and

integrated with national health and development efforts. The 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) estimated that 17.6 % of the population aged 18 months and above was HIV positive in that year. The corresponding figure in the 2004 BAIS was 17.1%. It is therefore evident that HIV prevalence in the country is leveling off around 17%. Botswana is experiencing one of the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. Incidence

of HIV is highest in towns, lower in cities, and lowest in villages. According to UNAIDS, Botswana has the second-highest HIV prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Government of Botswana started responding to the HIV epidemic as early as 1987, about two years after the first AIDS case was diagnosed in the country. The response began with the establishment of the National AIDS Control Programme and the development of an emergency response plan known as the Short Term Plan. This was followed by a Medium Term Plan I (1989-1993).The UNAIDS complements governments efforts by researching on the disease and helping to provide retroviral drugs for infected persons. According to the 2010 UNAIDS Report on the global AIDS epidemic for instance, there were 145, 190 people receiving antiretroviral therapy at the end of 2009. This corresponds to 83% coverage of all people in need. Another NGO worth of mention here is the United State government Emergency Plan. The Government of Botswana (GOB) mounted a multi-sectorial response guided by clear national priorities and strategies to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through U.S. President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the Emergency Plan), U.S. Government (USG) partners, working with GOB, bring technical expertise and financial support to maximize the quality, coverage and impact of Botswana's own national response. Recognizing the global HIV/AIDS pandemic as one of the greatest health challenges of our time, President Bush announced the Emergency Plan in 2003 - the largest international health initiative in history by one nation to address a single disease. Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, USG agencies implement the Emergency Plan, working collaboratively as strong, interagency country teams under the direction of the U.S. Ambassador. These teams capitalize on the expertise of each USG agency and leverage partnerships with host governments, multilateral

institutions, NGOs and the private sector to implement effective programs for combating HIV/AIDS and ensure efficient use of USGovernment resources. Botswana is one of 15 focus countries of the Emergency Plan which collectively represent at least 50 percent of HIV infections worldwide. Under the Emergency Plan, Botswana received nearly $24.4 million in FY2004 to support a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care program. In FY2005, the U.S. is committing more than $51 million to support Botswana's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.

PROBLEMS OF NGOS IN BOTSWANA Financial Resources One of the major factors impacting the effective management and sustainability of NGOs is the nature of their dependability on donor funding. A majority of civil society organizations in developed and developing countries were established in order to complement and supplement governments developmental and service delivery efforts. Multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, as well as regional organizations such as the European Union, African Union and SADC have funded NGOs programs and activities. In the case of Botswana, donor agencies have reduced their funding of NGOs once the country was elevated to an upper-mid income status. This has led to the closing down of some NGOs in Botswana do to a lack of funding and insufficient staffing levels. The common impact of financial dependence on donor funding is that once donors pull their financial support, NGOs collapse.

Democracy And Good Governance Democracy and good governance are currently regarded as key aspects of management in any organization. Multilateral and regional organizations emphasized the importance of these concepts as motivation to find civil society. However, weak democratic practices, transparency, and accountability are some of the factors impeding the effective management of NGOs in Africa. Botswana is not an exception to this trend, as is evident in recent reports. Molomo and Somolekae (1999) give examples of undemocratic practices found in some NGOs in Botswana, where periodic elections are rare occurrence. Issues surrounding a lack of accountability have recently been exposed by the media. For example, some NGOs dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana have been accused of maladministration, financial mismanagement, and the misuse of donor and public funds which were channeled through them (Botswana Daily News 2006). They were also accused of lacking timely reporting to the funding agency (Botswana Guardian, 2006). Furthermore, some HIV/AIDS NGOs have been accused of lacking the capacity to implement projects. Issues regarding a lack of proper record keeping and the maintenance of proper financial accounts have an impact on the management of NGOs in Botswana. Human Resources Management And HR Development As noted, most if all NGOs depend on voluntary staff to run their activities and programs. NGOs, therefore, generally do not have control over the quality of labour they obtain. Their staffing levels are determined by those who volunteer their services and whether or not they have

time available. Some of the personnel used to run the affairs of NGOs are not well trained to effectively carry out their duties. A lack of well trained and experienced HR limits the extent to which NGOs are able to manage their daily affairs and their capacity to effectively plan, appraise, implement, and monitor their projects and programs.