NEAD Community Development NPC

We asked this Cause 3 Questions: >> Who are you and what do you do? >> Why did you get started? >> Tell us a story - a person you helped - that keeps you going...

Tell us a bit about your Cause - who are you and what do you do?

NEAD was specifically founded to develop and strengthen local communities in the Western Cape. We believe in changing the associations the community receives through negative media. We work holistically; incorporating individuals from all walks of life to empower the community as a whole instead of just a select few people. We facilitate self-belief by encouraging constructive behaviour with positive reward.

NEAD aims to become the no 1 social development expert organization in South Africa in creating lasting positive change in local communities. We are committed to providing a platform for the inspiration and empowerment of a sustainable and progressive economic and social development environment. We provide community development services that are constitutionally sound and uphold the human rights of local communities. Our work is highly effective because we listen to the needs of our beneficiaries, acts quickly and give fast feedback. When we make a promise, we keep our word and we treat our beneficiaries with humanity, dignity and respect.

The 5 Important Core Values NEAD use as a foundation to increase community participation are integrity, respect, humanity, compassion and inclusive.

Why did you get started?

The Tafelsig community is seen and treated as the sore eye (stepdaughter) of Mitchell’s Plain. One morning getting out of the house I, (Joanie Fredericks) could no longer bear looking around a community where there was so much unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, domestic and sexual violence and other issues. I knew that very little is done by anyone to address the many social problems the community faces. I noticed the complete apathy and how people - young and old - were trapped in a destructive cycle of an entitlement. I realized then that if I wanted to see a positive change in the community, I would have to become involved and work towards the change I wanted to see.

The community’s lack of self-esteem set me on a course to look for ways in which I could offer community members a change in negative mindsets and a new lease on life, something to live for. It was important to find ways to help improve emotional well-being and assist people to find the drive to rise above circumstances and by registering NEAD I founded a vehicle to launch a goal-oriented social structured approached that drives empowerment.

An “I can do it” attitude pervades NEAD’s work and all our work focus strongly on showcasing positive changes in the community to the outside world. The positive outcomes of our work are constantly being used as a means to encourage the community to reach for better, to start to dream, to believe in their dreams and to empower themselves to achieve new possibilities.