Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT)

06/06/2026

The Dordrecht Legal Advice and Community Development Agency kicked off the year with an impressive initiative. They successfully claimed R17,959 from their annual R25,000 (Fundraising Incentive Scheme) microgrant. This scheme incentivizes S**T rural partners by offering a R5 reward for every R1 of profit generated, up to a newly increased yearly limit. For their inaugural event, the agency hosted a delightful pageant for children aged 6 to 10. Revenue was generated through ticket sales, games, and hot dog sales, while the municipality supported the effort with a free venue and a local DJ volunteered his services. The young participants, especially the boys in suits and kids in valentine colors, charmed the audience and helped secure a profit of R3,591.80. This allowed the agency to unlock the substantial FRIS award from S**T. Well done to the staff, committee, and volunteers of the Dordrecht Legal Advice and Community Development Agency!

05/06/2026

This is the heart of climate justice.

The communities who have contributed the least to global emissions, rural farming families are bearing the heaviest burden of climate change. Yet their voices, and their indigenous knowledge, are too often left out of the conversations that shape our response to it.

Visit ruralaction4climate.org.za to learn more about how we support communities to speak up and be heard.

03/06/2026

The Thobela Centre for the Mentally Handicapped, based in , reported on its quarterly activities. They worked with youth beneficiaries to address unemployment, GBV, and the social exclusion of . They used access to education, food gardening, and arts & crafts to stimulate and empower youth-led initiatives. The arts and crafts workshops used waste materials such as used boxes, paper, and plastic as a form of recycling. Through the Rural Action for Climate Resilience, also known as RACR, they trained beneficiaries to start a at home and provided seedlings to get them going. RACR also provided training in , permaculture, seedlings with planting guides, garden equipment, and about 20 fruit trees. Watering the extended food garden at the centre was a challenge with cans, but a Good Samaritan provided some drip pipes to help with this. They harvested 30 boxes of vegetables during the first quarter. Well done to the staff and volunteers of the Thobela Centre.

02/06/2026

This webinar is open to anyone interested in attending. You do not need to be a paralegal. Use the link in the image to register.

As we prepare for the Dullah Omar School for Paralegalism, we are hosting a series of online workshops open to everyone.

Join our first webinar to learn more about local government and the role of ward councillors and ward committees in your community.

05 June 2026 | 10:00 – 11:00
Register via:https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CTWYyLEdT_i6bxBZFby6XA #/registration

Social Change Assistance Trust (S**T) NWU Law Clinic Community Advice Offices South Africa - CAOSA

29/05/2026

Last week, RACR participants spent time , where the learning was practical, generous and deeply relevant.

The visit showed how something as ordinary as kitchen waste can become a resource for rebuilding soil. Through curbside collection, vermicomposting and the work of earthworms, The Compost Kitchen is turning waste into high-quality compost and helping to close the loop between what we consume, what we discard and what the soil needs to recover.

Thank you to the team at for opening your doors and sharing your knowledge with our participants. You're showing what climate resilience looks like in practice. ♻️

28/05/2026

It is at S**T, which means it is a time of learning, reflection, discussion, and planning. Yesterday, the programmes team met with to reflect on and improve their writing. Today we have our where we reported on activities, shared our plans, and celebrated who had their birthdays during the first five months of the year.

26/05/2026

Alwande Ulwazi Community Advice Centre (AUCAC) reported on their quarterly activities. They worked to improve for communities around Ngeleni and conducted workshops and a number of social audits as part of their (SAAC) activities. The social audits focussed on the water supply and road infrastructure in the Nyandeni Local Municipality which has frustrated communities. The AUCAC team hosted corruption reporting workshops in Ntibana and Maqanyeni Administrative Areas, which empowered communities to report maladministration and corruption.

26/05/2026

DOS is open for applications

📢 Call for Applications: Dullah Omar School for Paralegalism 2026

Social Change Assistance Trust (S**T), Black Sash, the NWU Law Clinic, and Community Advice Offices South Africa - CAOSA invite you to apply for the 10th Dullah Omar School for Paralegalism.

Under the theme “The Road to Local Government Elections and the Community Advice Office Sector”, the programme explores the role of community advice offices in strengthening democracy, civic participation, accountability, and access to justice.

Participants can choose from two streams:
• Mediation Skills (NWU accredited)
• Community Advice Offices & Local Government

🔗 Apply & find more information: https://www.blacksash.org.za
🗓 Closing date: 08 June 2026
📍 Johannesburg (TBC) | 17–21 August 2026