BESG
May 13, 2024
- 033 394 4980
- info@besg.co.za
- 331 Bulwer Street, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
BESG is in solidarity with communities to navigate a complex context, by supporting vulnerable sectors of our society in accessing and developing land, basic services, shelter, and livelihood security through the provision of capacity building, social and technical support, and promoting citizen engagement, with private and public sectors, in meeting their needs.
BESG is a Non-Profit and Public Benefit Organisation based in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa.
The organisation was established in 1983 by senior staff of the then University of Natal Department of Architecture and Allied Disciplines, as a support group that defended communities against eviction from informal settlements in urban areas.
In the early 1990’s, BESG became a key player in shaping planning and housing policies from local to national level. Since 1995, it has been a leader in enabling poor communities to access development and advocating pro-poor developmental policy.
BESG has developed substantial knowledge, including policy and technical knowledge on housing, livelihoods and tenure security.
Over the last six years BESG’s has had interlocking programmes of Building Sustainable Human Settlements and Promoting Good Governance and Deepening Democracy. A large range of activities to achieve the project, broadly fell into the categories of:
Within 3 days, the floods that devastated the coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal over 11th and 12th April had caused, at an official count, nearly 12,000 houses to be partially or totally destroyed. The people most severely affected by such severe weather events live in informal settlements and rural areas, with little or no infrastructure and protection from the elements.
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On 1 April 2020, just days after the imposition of the hard lockdown, BESG was one of 12 NGOs and social movements that were invited to engage with the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, on strategies to mitigate
the impact of the Covid-19 virus in informal settlements where we work.
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With an eye for both the big picture and the smallest details, Fez transforms the concept of living spaces into opportunities for sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. From reimagining urban planning to fostering resilient communities, she is dedicated to making sure that every settlement becomes a beacon of human potential.
A passionate advocate for human settlements, whose work is not just about constructing buildings but about crafting thriving communities. I envision a world where human settlements are more than just places to live—they are dynamic ecosystems where people connect, grow, and flourish.
A true champion of our planet, whose daily mission is to turn the tide on environmental challenges. With a heart that beats in rhythm with the Earth’s cycles and a mind brimming with innovative solutions, here to share his vision for a greener, more harmonious world.
Have a valuable skill you’d like to contribute to our community? Awesome, we would love to hear from you. Touch base with us.
From helping families rebuild their homes to funding community projects that matter, your contribution goes a long way.
Looking for a Corporate Social Investment programme that will deliver significant returns on your investment? We’ve got heaps.
We are blessed to have secured funding and sponsorship from some of the most progressive and respected brands in Europe and South Africa. Companies and individuals who are deeply invested in helping others in need. If you would like to contribute to the great work our team are doing, we would love to have you aboard as a sponsor.
In recognition of National Water Week, we turn the spotlight to Nonzila village, one of BESG’s partner communities with whom we have had long term partnership in the struggle for access to basic water provision
This year, we wanted to feature an icon of the human rights movement in South