“A Story For Our Times” Patterns and Choices. Exploring a development intervention amongst the San of Southern Africa

Background

The Kuru Family of Organisations (KFO) is an affiliated group of NGOs doing development work amongst the San of Southern Africa. KFO is the largest NGO in Botswana, and it is becoming the most well known and the one with the most significant impact.

Purpose/objective

KFO is struggling with carrying its chosen organisational form into the future. The evaluation shall help KFO to find its further direction, coherence and clarity of vision and strategy.

Methodology

Interviews and participant observation. A holistic approach.

Key findings

The greatest impact KFO have had during the years of existence is that the political and cultural environment in Botswana is beginning to shift towards a more human appreciation of the San and their issues, largely due to the work of KFO. But the San themselves has not developed "sufficiently" towards self-reliance, a sense of responsibility, or the development of relevant capacity (organisationally or in groups).
There is also to little strategic thinking taking place. Much is done without sufficiently or systematically assessing whether it has worked or not, or whether it is having the desired effect or not.
San has a fierce resistance to leadership of any kind and KFO has all the way tried to have an informal way of working with the San. KFO have had a culture of (non) leadership which has been very counterproductive. Problems have become more entrenched because of this.

Recommendations

1) Over time KFO must become more truly San-owned. San must lead and have responsibility of KFO.
2) Every KFO NGO must have one or two San deputy coordinators who are being helped to take on the role of coordinator.
3) There need to be a clear and formal agreement between each organisation and the KFO as a whole, for each to become more accountable, more autonomous and more rigorous about (improving) its practice.
4) The Letloa Board should appoint a Director and a programme coordinator who will support the board in their responsibilities over the next five years.
5) Important to have a change in attitude, culture and approach that individuals will have to dedicate themselves to.