Critical factors in NACOSA’s success as a network organisation in the HIV and AIDS sector

Date
2015-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: NACOSA had an eventful history spanning 22 years. The first phase between 1992 and 2001 is labeled Great Expectations as the composite multi-sectoral structure started a groundbreaking initiative on HIV and AIDS in South Africa and believed that the first AIDS plan drafted by them would be implemented as planned. Expectations came to nothing as government struggled to find its feet through a decade of blunders leading to the demise of the structure by end 2001. The next phase between 2001 and 2010 is labeled Starting Over as the Western Cape branch of NACOSA reinvented itself as a community mobilisation network for the province. Within a period of ten years Western Cape NACOSA developed into a successful national network with a large membership fully involved through its networking, capacity building and promoting dialogue functions. The third phase between 2010 and 2015 is labeled Rapid Growth as NACOSA developed into a large training and grant management agency with strong systems providing funding to its members through sub-granting. Networking continued at a slower pace but is still highly important for the organisation. The network contributes to localised social capital through shared learning and collaboration. NACOSA‟s sustainability has been developed through the ability to raise long-term funds for network activities, capacity building of members and coordinated service delivery on the ground. NACOSA also has a culture of identifying and acting fast on opportunities and adapting to change when it is needed. Strategic factors attributing to the success of NACOSA are a sector based approach promoting diversity in its membership; a consistently focused and shared purpose throughout the years; a community agent approach believing in and advocating for community systems strengthening; obtaining a mandate from network members for main strategy changes; strategic partnerships; a strong capacity building approach focussing on organisational and programmatic competencies; not competing with network members but acting as main weaver; creating specialist networks for specific HIV-related causes; a committed representative executive committee and skilled staff; bringing groups together on a regular basis for discussions and strategising; a variety of social media; and a network mindset intent on a culture of learning and building trust between member organisations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: NACOSA het 'n gebeurtenisvolle geskiedenis wat strek oor 'n periode van 22 jaar. Die eerste fase tussen 1992 en 2001 word genoem Groot Verwagtinge, verwysende na die saamgevoegde multi-sektorale struktuur wat ontstaan het as die eerste groot MIV en VIGS inisiatief in Suid-Afrika. Hulle het verwag dat hul eerste VIGS-plan geïmplementeer sou word soos wat hulle dit beplan het. Hul verwagtinge het egter skipbreuk gely as gevolg van die regering wat oor die dekade heen hul voete gesleep en foute gemaak het wat uiteindelik gelei het tot die struktuur se ondergang in 2001. Die volgende fase tussen 2001 en 2010 word genoem Oorbegin verwysende na die Wes-Kaap tak van NACOSA wat hulself herskep het as „n gemeenskapsmobiliseringsnetwerk. Wes-Kaap NACOSA het binne tien jaar weer ontwikkel in 'n suksesvolle nasionale netwerk met 'n groot ledetal wat volledig ingeskakel is by die organisasie se netwerk, kapasiteitsbou en bevordering van dialoogaktiwiteite. Die derde fase tussen 2010 en 2015 word genoem Snelle Groei verwysende na NACOSA se ontwikkeling in 'n groot opleidings- en fondsbestuursagentskap met sterk stelsels wat befondsing aan hul lede verskaf. Netwerkskakeling het voortgeduur teen 'n stadiger pas maar is steeds baie belangrik vir die organisasie. Die netwerk dra by tot die bou van plaaslike sosiale kapitaal deur middel van samewerking en saam leer. NACOSA se volhoubaarheid het ontwikkel deur hul vaardigheid om langtermynfondse in te samel vir netwerkaktiwiteite, kapasiteitsbou en gekoördineerde dienslewering op grondvlak. NACOSA het ook 'n kultuur om geleenthede vinnig te identifiseer en daarop te reageer, asook om aan te pas by veranderinge wanneer nodig. Strategiese faktore wat bygedra het tot NACOSA se sukses sluit in 'n wye sektorbenadering met diverse lidmaatskap; 'n konsekwente gedeelde doelwit oor die jare; die bevordering van sterk gemeenskapstelsels; die verkryging van 'n mandaat by netwerklede vir strategie-veranderinge; strategiese vennootskappe; 'n sterk kapasiteitsboubenadering wat fokus op organisatoriese en programmatiese vaardighede; geen kompetisie met lede-organisasies maar eerder die rol van “hoofwewer”; skep van spesialisnetwerke vir spesifieke MIV-verwante kwessies; 'n toegewyde raad en vaardige personeel; gereelde bymekaarbring van groepe vir dialoog en strategie bou; 'n verskeidenheid van sosiale media; en 'n netwerk denkpatroon gefokus op 'n leerkultuur en die bou van vertroue tussen lede.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Keywords
NACOSA, HIV infections -- Prevention -- South Africa, HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa, AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa, UCTD, AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa
Citation