About us

Over an extended period, BESG has developed substantial knowledge on land, housing, built environment, basic services, local government, livelihoods and deep relationships of trust with 26 communities in the last 3-year project cycle.

Its methodology of process facilitation has accompanied communities  under complex conditions in Kwa Zulu Natal to be resilient in at times protracted processes for the attainment of basic human rights and for the restoration of dignity.

Through a respectful process and praxis led by a small team of skilled and experienced staff, BESG has contributed to:

• A critical mass of community leaders who have developed knowledge of their basic human rights, housing policy and processes, and service delivery. This has contributed to enabling community leaders to lead the building of community agency to engage and challenge the state for delivery and improvement in the quality of their lives. This has resulted in:
• A range of advocacy efforts, engagements with municipalities and protest action leading to several communities having greater access to water, sanitation, and services. Through their knowledge and actions communities have compelled municipalities to install extra standpipes, fix water leaks, ensure daily water delivery, the building of toilets, more consistent emptying of toilets, delivery of chemical toilets, the building of tarred roads with installation of speed humps with storm water drainage.
• Knowledge and skills to engage the South African Human Rights Commission (Denmark) compelling the Msunduzi Municipality to empty toilets after a period of three years.

On the Housing front:

Through the BESG housing cadreship development programme and accompaniment, BESG has contributed:

• A critical mass of housing activists are knowledgeable on housing policy and policies on public participation. This has equipped activists to engage from an informed position, assert and in some instances realise their rights.
• Nkanini engaged the MEC for Human Settlements, regarding the lack of progress with their planned housing project. Twenty houses were built for the most vulnerable in the community
• Equipping leaders to monitor quality assurance of housing delivery. The Endumeni Civic Association got the contractor to rebuild a house that did not meet quality requirements.
• BESG has commenced efforts to unlock several housing projects in terms of the Enhanced People’s Housing Process (ePHP).

Livelihood and Tenure Security (LTS)

“The LTS has contributed to  mainly women developing a sense of pride, dignity, confidence and credibility in communities. It also  mobilises local resources[1].”

• 42 Gardens in Shiyabazali contributing to food security.
• Wills are being written by community members as part of succession planning.
• In water stressed communities rain-water harvesting has assisted as a supplementary source.
• Budgeting skills has enabled community members to be more efficient in managing their limited finances, including a women’s group that saved and built a room for their beadwork.
• Health and safety training, including fire hazard mitigation have contributed to the avoidance of accidents.

Food, Energy, Water Security (FEW for All)

The FEW for All project is an extension of a larger Livelihood and Tenure Security (LTS) programme

• This programme is to strengthen the livelihood capacities of indigent households in the uMgungundlovu District through training in life skills, health and safety and poverty alleviation.
• Many women headed households have been referred to us through our partnership with Women Development Bank.

• On 1 April 2020 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. This led to the creation of the COVID-19 Informal Settlements Task Team, of which BESG was part of.
• Our association with LRC ensured the following:
  • We ensured a group of women from Ophokweni, Mkhambathini was able to attend a virtual webinar on The Customary Marriages Act held by LRC.
  • BESG ran a workshop for LRC on the IDP Process and Informal Settlement Upgrading.
• A joint venture between BDS and Swelihle Agricultural and Environmental Services entered into a contract with uMgungundlovu District Municipality (uMDM) piloting a climate change adaptation programme in Nhlazuka, Richmond and a component of the uMngeni Resilience Project, “Climate Proofing Human Settlements.” This led to the formulation of the “Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit” which was well received by uMDM and its partners.
• Khayalethu Street Children’s Shelter was eventually completed. A Thanksgiving and Khayalethu Shelter Re-Opening Ceremony was held on the 10^{th of} December 2021.
• Following the Evaluation Process, Misereor was willing to fund our Organisation Development & Strategic Plan Workshop based on our proposal. This is contributing to a stronger more effective and efficient institution.
• Actively building CSI partners among the business community in the locality of the communities we work with.
• Building relationships with partner organisations that were previously fractured:
  • AFESIS, CLP, IBP, among others.
• Building partnerships with organisations that will be beneficial to BESG and our community partners:
  • Gift of the Givers (resources towards community upliftment)
  • MOU with Womens Development Bank (WDB) – referral to communities in need for our intervention