Sangonet invites all South African NGOs and development organisations to search the online directory named Prodder (http://www.prodder.org.za/) to review and update their information. Organisations that were not in the previous editions of the directory should also submit new entries.
This invitation is phase one of Sangonet's programme to re-introduce Prodder as an online directory. According to Sangonet executive director, Prodder forms part of Sangonet's broader information services and fits in with the organisation's continued focus to develop electronic products and services.
A respected publication
Prodder aims to provide a user-friendly one-stop Internet entry point for information on South African development organisations. Organisations include NGOs, parastatals, community-based organisations, embassies and government bodies, bilateral and multi-lateral agencies.
Previously compiled and produced by the Human Sciences Research Council from 1987 - 2001, Prodder is a brand name within the development sector and has received international recognition as an important contributor to development debates and discussions.
Sangonet undertakes to ensure that the revised directory will continue to uphold the traditions that made the original directory a benchmark publication. "Prodder will showcase the work of these organisations, raise awareness of their activities and highlight issues and challenges they face," says David Barnard, Sangonet executive director.
The directory will also provide development stakeholders with a strategic tool to enhance networking information-sharing, governance, decision-making and resource allocation.
Second phase more challenging
According to Sangonet, the current directory has 2 500 development organisations. These entries will be validated by the end of September 2005. The new directory will be launched on 24 October to coincide with World Development Day. On this day, Sangonet will also launch an updated version of its portal.
The second phase of the development of the directory will be to broaden the focus of organisations to include the rest of the non-profit sector. This will be achieved by the inclusion of the directory of organisations that was developed by the Department of Social Development's NPO Directorate.
This directory is made up of all organisations that have registered with the department and include welfare organisations and community-based organisations. Currently, there are 36 000 organisations listed.
In addition to the big size of the directory, the records will need to be validated and those that have closed down or whose contact details are invalid will be removed.
Barnard says that although it is not the intention to exclude important stakeholders, the process of integrating the directory by the NPO directorate will be selective and priority focus will continue to be given to development organisations. Welfare organisations will also receive specific focus.
The second phase also includes the broadening of information about organisations in the database. In the first phase, basic information like the organisation's name, contact person and contact details will be included, while the second phase will include areas of programme focus, the mission and objectives.
In future, the focus and contents of the directory will also expand to cover the rest of Southern Africa, Barnard says.
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