SACAR

The South African Chapter of the African Renaissance (SACAR) was established following processes that were led by a select number forerunners and civil society organisations (CSOs); these processes included meetings, workshops and a conference in 1998. As a result of this 1998 African Renaissance (AR) conference, and in keeping with its objectives and resolutions, SACAR was launched in April 2000. This launch gave SACAR a mandate to build an AR movement in the country by mobilising the South African masses, especially the youth, to take the concept forward.

SACAR commits itself to playing a leading role in the facilitation of CSOs into embracing the vision of AR, to project the AR movement by and through CSOs and public private partnerships (PPP), and to promote the awareness of the AR vision through close participation and contribution by the youth of the African continent.

SACAR's underlying objectives, through its projects and activities, are as follows: play a leading role in the facilitation of civil society into embracing the vision of AR; projection of the AR movement by and through organs of civil society; promotion of awareness of the AR vision through close participation and contribution of the youth and women countrywide. At national level, partner with like-minded CSOs, national departments and the Presidency in establishing projects that involve the grassroots level’s participation; and through its nine Provincial Chapters (PCs) in each province, establish partnership with relevant stakeholder, which includes traditional healers, traditional leaders, community-based organisations (CBOs), non-government organisations (NGOs), local and provincial governments, etc.

SACAR is affiliated to the regional AR body named the African Renaissance Organisation of Southern Africa (AROSA). In turn, as one of six regional AR bodies around the continent (including the diaspora), AROSA is affiliated to the continental body called the African Renaissance Institute (ARI). SACAR also operates at provincial level through the PCs in each of the nine national provinces; each operates as foot soldiers to reach CBOs, NGOs, traditional entities and the individuals on the ground.

SACAR's national structure, at the top of the organogram, consists of the South African Council of Elders, the Board of Directors, the National Head of Office of SACAR and the nine Provincial Chapters. Its main focus areas are: Schools and Youth, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Moral Regeneration, public awareness, mobilisation of civil society organisations (CSOs), African Union, New Partnership For Africa’s Development and Africa Day.

SACAR's success in delivering on its mandate relies heavily on it forming partnership with other civil society organisation, business forums and government at all level. For its vision of African Renaissance to be realised, SACAR works with other civil society organisations in the country, like-minded organisations, relevant stakeholders and Provincial Chapters, where they together engage in projects, workshops and activities, using IKS as a vehicle to build this social movement of the African people. Since its inception, SACAR has made it its mission to combine all these ingredients in its quest to bring the vision of African Renaissance to reality.