South Africa: Building robust governance and financial systems from training to sustainability

Social Welfare in TECH (SWIT), a young organisation based in Malamulele in the Limpopo Province, works to create supportive communities for children, youth, families and vulnerable groups. Through digital platforms, the organisation provides counselling, mentorship, psychosocial support, menstrual health education, anti-substance abuse interventions, and programmes supporting persons with disabilities and HIV/AIDS-affected families.

Before undergoing organisational development training, SWIT’s internal systems were extremely limited. Financial management was informal, with no structured budgeting, reporting systems or M&E frameworks. The organisation’s bank account had even been closed due to inactivity. There were no policies governing finance, procurement, human resources, safeguarding, sexual harassment, anti-corruption or fraud, leaving the organisation exposed to compliance risks and operational inconsistencies.

In early 2025, two staff members attended training at GL Cottages focusing on results chains, finance systems, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. These practical tools helped the staff develop structured logic models, track indicators, and build quarterly reporting systems. The organisation improved reporting quality, adopted financial tracking tools and began cascading knowledge through internal training sessions that strengthened team capacity.

As part of applying these lessons, SWIT reactivated its dormant bank account, applied for a SARS tax number, created standardised reporting templates and introduced monthly financial reconciliations. HR, safeguarding, finance, procurement and sexual harassment policies were established and aligned with best practice and implemented with clear reporting mechanisms.

Through these reforms, SWIT shifted from an informal startup to a compliant organisation capable of managing funding responsibly and increasing its impact across Vhembe District. Programmes became more structured, decisions more evidence-based and evaluations more timely—improving by 25% in submission rates.

The organisation also diversified its fundraising strategies. It submitted a proposal to DGMT, currently under review, and began adopting sustainability practices through strengthened board governance, quarterly oversight, and bi-annual staff capacity workshops.

To ensure long-term continuity, SWIT is consolidating all key policies and compliance documents into a digital manual on Google Drive. The organisation will continue conducting automated monthly reconciliations, annual policy reviews and targeted fundraising efforts, ensuring sustainability, operational excellence and growth.