Case Studies:
NPC represents the best in NGO entrepreneurialism. This relatively young organization was founded to meet a demonstrated need, and it already stands at the forefront of those around the world providing analysis, drafting skills, effective advocacy, and sound legal judgement on behalf of the non-profit sector. ICNL has been pleased to work with NPC on issues within Southern Africa and even as far a field as China, and we have found the NPC team to be extraordinarily able and collegial in every way. The South African non-profit sector is enhanced by their activities on its behalf.
Steven Klingelhofer, Senior Vice-President of International Centre for Non-Profit Law (ICNL) Washington DC
Ever since my appointment as the Project Manager for Company Law Reform, I came to appreciate a good working relationship between the NPC and the Department of Trade and Industry, particularly in relation to the reform of the legal regime dealing with incorporated non-profit organisations. It has given me great pleasure to work with the dedicated staff of the NPC who are always motivated, eager to learn, and ready to contribute to the legal development of the environment within which incorporated non-profit organisations operate. As the reform of corporate law accelerates, I am confident that the contribution by the staff of NPC will be even more forthcoming and extremely helpful. I applaud the fact that NPC has been involved in the process from the beginning and I am sure they will see this process to its conclusion. Without the dedicated staff at NPC, the process of corporate law reform would have been impoverished indeed. I look forward to NPC's unwavering support for this initiative and I am sure it is your insatiable desire to participate in this process, which will be a catalyst for its success. You are an inspiring bunch to work with.
Tshepo Herbert Mongalo, Project Manager: Corporate Law Review, Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa.
After years of a stalemate the South African law regarding the tax exemption of non-profit organisations and the tax deduction of contributions made to them by the general public has recently undergone sweeping changes. The changes have required that every organisation seeking tax concessions should change its constitution and apply to the South African Revenue Service for approval. They have also called for a substantial reorganisation of South African Revenue Services (SARS) to administer the new procedures.
The Non-Profit Consortium, as well as its predecessors and associates, has played a vital role in representing the interests of the non-profit community in the course of this process. It not only has endeavoured to ensure that the enormously diverse range of NPOs is represented in the list of approved activities. Equally importantly it has acted as an intermediary between the NPO sector and SARS, both in explaining the effects of the legislation to the sector and in raising with SARS the various - often unintended - practical problems that the amendments have produced. This is a process that is still continuing, in particular with regard to the thorny issue of the business or trading activities that an NPO may carry on without jeopardising its exempt status.
JHC Friedman
DOUGLAS & VELCICH CA (SA)
The work of the Non Profit Consortium is both professional and valuable. If all NGO's worked with the same degree of seriousness the whole non-profit sector would be in far better shape. I have used the NPC's work in Parliament and look forward to a continuing good relationship with them.
Ben Turok: Member of Parliament, Portfolio Committee, Cape Town, South Africa