Six (6) networks were set up in the North West region. There are sixty two(62) saving schemes. Three (3) new saving schemes were opened, one in Taung, two in Jouberton, in Klerksdorp.

Seven houses were built through the ³Inqolobane² fund in Mothotloung, Brits.

The region also built a good relationship with the Madibeng Municipality, Klerksdorp Municipality and also Mafikeng Municipality as well as the Rustenburg Municipality.

The region also extended its relationship with the provincial government of the North West. In that relationship, the Federation was given subsidies upfront.

Most of the saving schemes are comprised of members who are pensioners.

There are also other types of saving, e.g. self-help stockvels like chairs and tent hire, etc.

The saving schemes are coming stronger in the rural areas in the region.

Regional meetings:

There were eight regional meetings in the last eighteen (18) months. The problem is funds.

We have had twenty (20) different meetings with municipalities in Rustenburg
(2), Mafikeng (2), Klerksdorp (5), Ga-Rankuwa (4) and Madibeng (7).

We went two times to meet with the provincial government.

We met with traditional leaders for five times, that is, Mafikeng (3),
Jericho (1) and Maboloka (1). These meetings were successful. One problem though has been lack of funds. However, all the structures are willing to help and to fight poverty.

Exchange programmes:

There were three (3) local exchange programmes, that is, 1 in Khuma to build the network, 1 in Mafikeng to update books as well as to train the bookkeepers and 1 in Ga-Rankuwa also to update the books and build the network. There was an exchange for the Sizokuyenza Health component.

Rose¹s exchange programmes alone, she went twice to the Philippines and
twice to India. She also went once to Manchester and three times to Uganda. She went to Nairobi and Ghana (2) and once in Zimbabwe. She went to Malawi once.

There was one national workshop for saving and bookkeepers in
Hartebeesfontein.

There were six (6) income-generating projects that included Working for
Water.

Problems:

The problem in this region is that they are being owed by Peoples¹ Dialogue an amount of R16 074.11 being money that was taken from their brick-making project and used for the organization. They were promised that that money would be repaid by Peoples¹ Dialogue.

As for their Inqolobane fund they do not have a problem. They said that the money is there but did not state how much it is. They did not even take the loan.


Limpopo Region

The Federation has established a good relationship with three municipalities, namely the Makhado Municipality, Thulamela Municipality and Blouberg Municipality as well as the Departments of Agriculture and Housing in the province.

The Department of Agriculture has pledged to support all the income-generation projects of the Federation.

We have had 7 provincial meetings with government. Two of these were with the Department of Housing negotiating for the rural subsidy. We also had two meetings with the Department of Agriculture to get progress report on the support they are giving in our income-generating projects. We met three times with Working for Water in the province.

We also have strong support from the IDT (Working for Water).

We have more than ten income-generation projects which we met with the Project Leader of Working for Water.

We have four (4) networks.

There are fifty-eight (58) saving schemes and we have two (2) new saving schemes.

Regional meetings:

We have had five regional meetings. Because of lack of finance we could not have more.

Inqolobane Fund

The new Inqolobane Fund has got R1 867.65. The old Inqolobane had R11728.67. There is no loan. They have still to rebuild themselves because it is the smallest region in terms of membership and development. They need support.


Gauteng

The Federation has established a good relationship with the three (3) Metros in the Region. These are the Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Also, the Federation was able to establish good relations with the following municipalities, Emfuleni Municipality in the Sedibeng District and Merafong Municipality (Carletonville) as well as Randfontein Municipality.

Exchange programmes:

In the last exchange to India, the two Metros, i.e. Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni were invited to attend. In this regard, only Johannesburg did attend. After this exchange, we have a strong relationship with both Metros.

We have four (4) national exchange programmes, namely one saving and project planning workshop at Thinasonke, one Housing Model (international exchange)at Thinasonke and one bookkeeper and administrator workshop at Protea South (Funduzufe office) as well as the Imbizo at Thinasonke.

Income-generating projects:

There was one in Kanana, one in Orange Farm and another in Protea South.

There were also ten (10) local exchange programmes.

Network exchange:

There was one in Orange Farm, one in Kanana, one in Protea South and one in Carletonville. Bookkeepers and treasurers workshops were held in Orange Farm, Protea South and Soshanguve.

There are seven (7) networks in the Region. One network (Orange Farm, Network No. 2) is very strong on savings.

There are eighty-three (83) saving schemes.

There are four (4) new saving schemes. Three (3) of these are in Lawley and one (1) in Randfontein.

Springs revived two (2) saving schemes.

Regional meetings:

There were seven (7) meetings that are held on a rotational basis, that is, not in one place. Due to lack of funds not many meetings were held.

There have been a lot of meetings between the provincial government departments like Local Government, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Land Affairs and Housing with us as well as with the three Metros in the region.

We do have a relationship, albeit very little, with EKungwini Municipality. As for the MidVaal Municipality, we have not yet established any relationship.

Problems:

Inqolobane funds had problems in this region. The new Inqolobane currently has R35 000. The old Inqolobane had three banking accounts, namely one 32 days¹ account, a savings account and repayment account. The 32 days¹ account had about R428 000, the Savings account had about R52 000 and the Repayment account had about R90 000. The total amount that was in the coffers of the old Inqolobane was R570 000.

37 people have taken the loan from the Inqolobane Fund amounting to R92 500. They have not yet repaid this money. Thinasonke project took a loan of R13000 to pay the services. Poortjie project took a loan of R40 000 for geotech.

A loan of R3 600 was taken by the leadership for a trip to the Eastern Cape. They promised to pay R300 each in repayment.

The supplier (Three Challenge) also took R57 000 when the company collapsed.

The total amount of money taken from the Inqolobane Fund is R258 100.

There are three (3) old saving schemes that are suffering as a result of the money that has been taken from the Inqolobane Fund. These are Appleville, Luthando, Sebenzani ³A², ³B² and ³C² as well as Zenzele. They now have serious problems and difficulties with their members who had been saving with lots of money. I have had no chance to meet with them to get to know how much is involved here.


Free State

The Region has built a good relationship with local government and provincial government.

During last year we had a team that met with the provincial government of the Free State once every month.

This team also held meetings with the local government. In this regard, the team met with certain councilors and not with all the councils/municipalities.

This team¹s main aim was to monitor all projects we had with the provincial government and the councils/municipalities in the Free State region so as to get progress reports regularly.

The district municipality of Moqhaka that includes Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon, Bothaville, Bethlehem, Qwaqwa, etc. has good relations with the Federation.

Budget:

Inqolobane has got R167 544.77. There is no loan that was given to Inqolobane. The only given in the Free State was by the saving scheme which amounted to R10 872.50.

There are four (4) networks. We had three workshops for facilitators of the networks. These were in Bothaville (2) and Viljoenskroon (1).

There was also a national exchange for saving in Bothaville. Due to lack of funds we did not have many workshops. We only had three workshops for bookkeepers and treasurers.

The projects in this region were as follows:
1. Emerging initiatives none.
2. Funding proposal written and presented Itshokolele (56), Kamohelo (50),
Khululeka, Nyakallong and Tsoha O Iketsetse (150), Meqheleng (50),
Tshwaranang (50).
3. Signed funding agreement 140 projects of which 40 is approved and 97
still short of Title Deeds and 3 have overlapped to some peoples¹ sites and
have to be moved.
4. Number of houses built 252. Unfinished houses are 20.

Problems with regard to projects in this region were, that the money intended for housing was diverted to build and office that cost R29 000. The Peoples¹ Dialogue only gave R5 000 which was short by R24 000. The supplier of building material disappeared with money to the amount of R5 950. They lost material of 4 loads of river cement costing R6 960, 4 loads of crusher stone costing R9 120, 50 bags of cement that cost R4 000, 1 000 bricks costing R2 250 and Transport of leaders costing R2 900. The total in this regard is R55 180.

There are forty-two (42) saving schemes.

One saving scheme in Philipolis which had collapsed was revived.

Regional meetings:

We held only seven regional meetings. Without funds it is very difficult to operate in the Free State due to its vastness.

Lastly, there is a case of Unfair Labour Practice that is to sit at the CCMA on the 17th August 2005.

There is also a proposed meeting between the provincial government, the five municipal districts in the Free State and the Federation and Peoples¹
Dialogue to build a partnership and working relationship.


Mpumalanga -

The Federation has got good relations with the provincial government and the local government in the region.

In the KwaNdebele Municipality, Delmas Municipality, White River Municipality, Leandra Municipality, Bethal Municipality, Standerton
Municipality and the others we have good relations.

There are six (6) networks in the Region.

There are sixty-four (64) saving schemes in the Region.

New saving schemes are twelve (12). Three (3) of these are in Malelane, nine (9) in KwaNdebele.

There are going to be two networks that are supposed to be opened in KwaNdebele.

They are very strong in saving in KwaNdebele.

Regional meetings:

In the period of eighteen (18) months we have had four (4) meetings with the provincial government. These were held in Nelspruit (2), Delmas (1) and Leandra (1). In all these meetings we sought progress reports as to how can speed up the process of building housing projects.

We have also held two meetings with Working for Water for income-generating projects.

We have held meetings with local government as well. These are too many to count.

National exchange programmes:

We have had one national exchange programme which is a workshop for bookkeepers and treasurers.

Local exchange programmes:

Most local exchange programmes was income-generation as well as bookkeepers and treasurers¹ workshops.

The Inqolobane Fund has got R36 271.20. The loan from the Inqolobane Fund is R6 000.

The problems with Inqolobane Fund in this region is that Bushbuckridge has demanded its share of the Inqolobane Fund back but this has not yet happened up to date. This money amounts to R4 500. This was done while Mama I was still a director who had also requested the region to give Bushbuckridge its money back.

The KwaNdebele saving schemes There was exchange of revival of the schemes. One member from the Southern Cape was short of money and borrowed money to the amount of R600 but that money has not been repaid.

Northern Cape

In this Region we have established a good relationship with one municipality, i.e. the Kimberley Municipality as well as the provincial
government. We have worked very well in this regard.

There are twelve (12) saving schemes. They are very strong on saving and they account very well on their funds.

They are using their funds to build, which is why they do not have enough money to build.

We have 4 national exchange programmes in Kimberley. These were the training for technical component and for treasurers. Every time when we visit Kimberley we meet with the provincial government and local government. We have a good working relationship with them. It is now up to the Federation to build the Federation in other areas of the Northern Cape because the
government is willing to help us in this regard.


3. SETBACKS

All the saving schemes when they joined the Federation and its alliance they had high expectations that they will get themselves houses built. To their disappointment that support was very much minimal. This has partly been due to the conflicts within the Federation itself.

Lack of training for the staff also had an effect in the running of the Federation and its alliance and by extension this overlapped into less
effectiveness in the servicing of saving schemes and the networks.

In Katlehong there was a problem of enumeration that did not take place this year. This was due to the conflict that had developed between SANCO and the Federation.


4. PROJECTS

North West
There are eight (8) housing projects in Oukasie, Khuma, Orkney (Kanana),
Letlhabile, Hartebeesfontein, Mothotloung, Ga-Rankuwa and Maboloka.

Ten (10) houses were built in Letlhabile.

New housing projects are in Mafikeng, Tlhabane and Jericho.

For the period ended in June 2005 there were:
Completed feasibility study projects 300 in Jericho
Emerging initiatives projects Ga-Rankuwa (250), Mafikeng (300), and
Rustenburg (200).
Funding proposals written and presented Old debt (86), Madibeng (300)
Third party written funding Metro (38), Khuma Inflationary (36),
Klerksdorp Khuma (56), Orkney Kanana (15).
Signed funding agreement Madibeng (104).

All these projects are very slow on our side. Perhaps something should be done to speed up these projects. If the alliance could meet and focus on these, the projects could be speeded up. The thing that makes these projects to be slow is the singling out of individuals.

Income-generation projects that are supported by the Department of Agriculture are in Oukasie, Hartebeesfontein, Matla and Working for Water.


Limpopo

In the identified area of Mutale there was a house model built.

Income-generation projects are seventeen (17). These are Working for Water projects.

Those projects that are supported by the Department of Agriculture are four
(4) in Bochum, five (5) are in Louis Trichardt, four (4) in Witvlag and six
(6) are in Dopeni.

There is also an agricultural project in which the local municipality has
donated a tractor already. This is in Zaamkomset.

There are also three (3) bee-keeping projects in Witvlag 2.

Gauteng

There are three (3) housing projects in the Region. These are in Ten-Twenty-Five, Moseleke and Thinasonke.

There is a housing project in Protea South.

The Sophumelela Saving Scheme has bought a piece of land in Germiston.

The Hluphekile Saving Scheme has already bought a piece of land and the Johannesburg Metro Council has already agreed to grant them the land.

Ward 23 in Ekurhuleni has developed a housing project as well.

There are three (3) projects of Working for Water Soshanguve. There is also a housing project underway at the time of writing this report.

There is an agricultural project in Carletonville.

A housing project in Carletonville was stopped due to a sinkhole.

Housing Projects as at 30th June 2005 are as follows:

Completed feasibility study projects Carletonville (120) this projects was
disturbed by sinkholes.
Emerging initiatives projects Etwatwa (250) the Federation leadership is
divided on this project, Sebenzani and Zenzele (323) the Joburg Metro has
given us the project, Randfontein (261) the negotiations are still going on
with the municipality.
Funding proposal written and presented Doornkop (250), Orange Farm (484),
Sedibeng (255), Mamelodi and Soshanguve (310), Ekurhuleni in Ward 23 (274),
Mosiliki (284) and Thinasonke (391) in this regard UTshani gave the
revolving fund to buy land. As for the other projects UTshani can explain
the form of funding they have provided.

Signed funding agreements 1025 Old Debt, this is to submit the plan and
title deeds for government to issue subsidies.

There are also 55 unfinished houses in Gauteng.


Free State

There is a housing project in Khotsong (Network No. 2).

There are two (2) projects in Network No. 1

In Qwaqwa there is a piece of land that has been availed to one of our
saving schemes.

There is a regional (province) project of a thousand (1000) houses.

There are also about fifty-seven (57) other small business projects.


Mpumalanga

There are housing projects in the pipeline in the following areas:
Standerton, Delmas (2) and Leandra.

New projects are in KwaNdebele and Bethal.

Housing projects as at 30th June 2005 are as follows:
Funding proposal written and presented Gomasakho (65). This is an old
project where there is a problem with the African Bank. The old debt (63)
for Lebohang, Thembisile and Vukuzenzele which are still short of title
deeds and some them have had their plans approved.
Written funding commitment Delmas (100), Standerton (250).
Signed funding agreement Leandra (100).

All these projects are very slow due to, in the main, lack capacity.

There are also twelve (12) small business projects in the region.

Income-generating project:

There is a Working for Water project in White River. There was a lot exchange programme done by Rose Mashimbyi and Andy with the member of income-generation. We have a lot of projects of income-generation.

Northern Cape

There is a housing project of 498 houses in Tswelelang, Kimberley. Already ninety-eight (98) houses have been built in this project this year. Complete houses are sixty-five (65). They are building through the PHP system.

Projects:

The Tswelelang Project is building 490 houses that were given to the Federation. 20 of these houses have been given to disabled people. The finished houses are now 180. 21 houses have slabs already laid. The members in the Northern Cape need training. They have also asked to have workshops for the bookkeepers and treasurers.

Most importantly, they need revolving funds. The projects are slow because nobody is assisting them with funds. They are asking if the Peoples¹ Dialogue can do so.

5. Conclusion
Although Peoples¹ Dialogue is closing down, it has left behind people who are still owed monies which Peoples¹ Dialogue had promised to pay but never did so. This indicates that there was poor administration by the
organization, the co-ordinators and the Board.

If there were systems in place this would not have happened but nevertheless the life goes on. The Federation must take the process forward.

The little knowledge they have they must use it. They must open the participation platform. If they happen not to see things in the same light, they must sit down and share the ideas.

It will be desirable that the Federation and its alliance should hold its meetings regularly to give reports. This will help to minimize most of the problems that may exist between the structures of the alliance. The problems are not benefiting the Federation network and saving schemes.


Compiled by: P.D. Co-ordinator
Max Rambau