On 23.05.2015 89 of the 126 members of Tsibogang Christian Action Groups gathered for the Annual General Meeting in St. Joseph’s Retreat Centre in Lomanyaneng/Mahikeng. Each Action Group presented the annual reports of its projects of the last financial year (01.04.2014 -31.03.2015) and the strategic plan for the new financial year. The main topic of this year’s proceedings was however the looming financial crisis. It is caused by the fact that the main donor of the last financial year – the South African Catholic Bishop’s Conference (SACBC) – has to reduce its contributions drastically this year as it has lost its main donor USAID. The American Donor Organization has since long indicated that they plan to move out of South Africa.
In addition the National Lottery – another major donor during the last years- has so far delayed in advertising a new call for proposals so that even from this source no funding can be expected in this financial year.
The Coordinator and the Project Managers have reacted to this situation by approaching a number of new donor organizations, e.g. some of the South African Banks. But these organizations take their time to consider our proposals. ..
In view of this dire situation it was agreed that all members of Tsibogang will observe a short period of prayer every night at 20.30h in order to plead with God to give us the means to continue with our projects for the chronically ill, for the orphans and vulnerable children, for the youth in public schools and for those who live with HIV.
As the three year period for the previous Management Committee came to an end this year it was the task of this year’s gathering to establish a new Management Committee for the coming three years. Members opted for stability and brought back four of the five holders of the top positions.
Theresa Mokgoro, a dedicated Catholic, who is working as a private clinical psychologist, remains the Chairperson.
Jarrison Links, the representative of the Catholic Church, who works as a Deputy Director in the Human Resource Department of the Provincial Legislature, remains the Deputy Chairperson.
Undine Mmatumelo Rauter, the representative of the Spiritual Community Koinonia, who is working as a chief physiotherapist in Gelukspan Hospital, remains the Secretary.
Tebelelo Maseng, who is working as Lecturer in Nursing in the University of the North West, Mahikeng Campus, remains the Treasurer.
Boikhutso Choeu, who was newly nominated as the representative of the Action Group Tshepanang, and who works as an ABET teacher will become the Deputy Secretary.
Father Morolong, the priest of St. Mary’s; Jack Mokgosi, the representative of the Action Group Amogelang and Dimakatso Ikaneng, the representative of the Action Group Tlamelang, will serve as additional members.
In its constituting sitting on Monday, 25.05.2015 the new Management Committee has re-appointed Dr. Wolfgang Oratile Hermann to serve as the Coordinator of the organization.