Visitor's Guide (Help)

Welcome to the South African Human Rights Directory. Below are some helpful tips to guide you through your search of organisations and institutions supporting a rights based approach to development.

Quick Search : This feature appears at the top of the page with two options. You can either search for an organisation by name or you can generate a search list based on a particular province. For a more detailed search, please use the Advanced Search function.

Advanced Search : The feature allows you search using a combination of six fields. The more fields you select the more narrow your search is. It may be a good idea to broaden your search initially. Begin your search using fewer fields and then narrow your search as you go along.

Organisation If you know the name of the organisation you are looking for type in the full name. Be sure to spell it correctly.
City If you are looking for a listing of organisations in a particular city, enter the city here. Please be aware that many South African cities are changing their names.
Programme Areas It is best to search for only one programme area. If you select more than one topic the search list will generate a list of organisations with programmes in both selected topics. Programme area refers to the general scope of the organisations work.
Activity This refers to the type of work an organisation does, based on their programme area. Again, it is best to search for only one activity area. If you select more than one activity the search list will generate a list of organisations that carry out both the selected activities
Target Group The main beneficiaries the organisation programmes and activities.

Other terms and working definitions

Parastatal State owned corporations, separate board of directors, but the state has final authority.
Ch.9 Institutions that are independent of Government but are mandated by the constitution and report annually to the National Assembly.
Diplomatic Mission Embassies.
Foreign / Multilateral Agency Works with or for government, is active in several countries.
Academic Recognised institutions of higher learning / research.
Company (for gain) Money makers. (They are also development stakeholders.)
Sec. 21 (Company not for gain) Registered with the Registrar of Companies for a communal or group interest. Operates not for profit and is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Trust Falls under Common Law and the Trust and Property Control Act. The purpose is to manage resources.
NPO Registration with the NPO Directorate; a trust company or other association of people established for public purpose, the income of which is not distributed amongst members. To qualify the organisation must have a separate legal identity (be a Voluntary Association, Trust, or Section 21 Company) and not operate for profit.
NGO Non-Government Organisation, not for profit, values based, addresses development issues, carries out activities in relation to lobbying and advocacy, beneficiaries are broadly national / international, emphasis on public interest.
CBO Non-Government organisation, not for profit, addresses the development needs and issues that exist within the direct community where it operates, activities are local, self-help oriented.
FBO Faith-Based Organisation, community projects or charities formed in accordance and supported by to the philosophical outlook of a specific religious group.
Development Consultant A company for gain, providing services to the sector on a contract basis.
Donor A grant making organisation that accepts proposals for funding according to a defined orientation or 'development agenda'.
Foundation Usually supports pre-determined / selected projects.
Network / Forum The main purpose is to share information resources, is development oriented, and includes coalitions and associations.
Professional Association / Union Membership-based, individual members may or may not be profit making, but the organisation is not-for-profit. It may or may not have a ‘development agenda’.