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Creating an Independent Namibia Support Unit |
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Sunday, 12 July 2009 10:00 |
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For many years, WIMSA has been carrying out its regional advocacy work alongside its support work for grassroots development in Namibia. This was important because Namibia did not have a national organisation leading San development activities.
As both organisations have grown however, it became clear that it would be better to constitute WIMSA’s Namibia Support Unit as an independent organisation. This would allow both organisations to focus their attentions more effectively.
The overall organisational goal over the next three years is therefore to build two solid and viable organisations with clear visions, mandates and operational structures that effectively serve San development:
- WIMSA will, in line with its mission, advocate for San rights in the region.
- The Namibia Support Unit will undergo a thorough institutional development process to become an effective San support organisation for Namibia.
The table below outlines the differences between the two new organisations.
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WIMSA Regional
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Namibia Support Unit
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Type of organisation
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Umbrella/network organisation for advocacy
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Support organisation for San organisations/CBOs
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Area of operation
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Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola; secretariat in Windhoek
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Namibia
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Registration
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Registered in Namibia as a welfare organisation
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Not yet registered (still operating under WIMSA)
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Target group/Beneficiaries
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San in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola
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San in Namibia
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Main Strategies
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San representation;
advocacy
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Capacity building;
implementation support to CBOs
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Membership
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National San councils
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Not a membership organisation
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Main partners
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San support organisations: NSU, KFO, SASI etc.;
governments of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa – national level;
United Nations (at international level) and UN agencies (at national levels)
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NGOs involved in San development;
Namibian San Council;
Government of Namibia (regional councils, Ministries: Land and Resettlement; Environment and Tourism; Education; Gender Equality and Child Welfare, at regional and national levels); WIMSA
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Programmatic focus
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Human rights;
education; heritage/IPR
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Education and youth,
CBNMR, tourism, land, income generation
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Governance structure
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San-only Board composed of San council members from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola; Technical Advisory Committee of professionals advises the Board
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To be established following consultations in Namibia; likely to be comprised of appointed San and non-San professionals
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Constitution
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Draft constitution in place – requires minor amendments
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To be drafted
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