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Education for Democracy in South Africa (EDSA) (Registered charity, number 1003795) Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Page	Contents
2 - 7	Trustees’ annual report
8	Independent examiner’s report
9	Receipts & payments account
10	Statement of assets & liabilities
11 – 12	Notes to the accounts

Education for Democracy in South Africa (EDSA) Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023

Full name: Education for Democracy in South Africa

Organisation type: Charitable Trust

Registered charity number: 1003795

Principal address

14 Riverside Road, Oxford, OX2 0HU

Trustees

Anne Harries Brown (Chair) Jude Brown (Director) Gary Lock (Treasurer) Linda Richards Ceri Thomson

Independent Examiner

John Maddocks, 5 Wittering Close, Lincoln

Bank

CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ

Governance and management

The charity is operated under the rules of its trust deed dated 24th June 1991, amended 31st March 2006 and 20th June 2008. Governance and management of the charity is the responsibility of the trustees who are appointed under the terms of the trust deed.

The minimum number of trustees required in order to form a quorum is three. There is no upper limit on the number of trustees that may be appointed. Day to day activity is managed by volunteers including the EDSA Director who is a trustee and works in a voluntary capacity. There are no paid staff.

The trustees elect one of their number as Chair and may also appoint a Secretary and Treasurer. New trustees are appointed by the current trustees through resolution at a trustees meeting.

Objectives and activities

The principal object of the charity is the advancement of education and relief of poverty of disadvantaged students (children and young people) in South Africa.

The main activity of the charity is to raise and distribute funding to impoverished children and young people in the Western Cape, South Africa. The charity provides funding to projects within the isolated rural township known as Smitsville, in the Overberg District of the Western Cape. All funds raised by EDSA are deposited in the Charity Aids Foundation bank and are distributed from there to South Africa.

Public benefit statement

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'. In fulfilment of its objectives the Trust funds and supports a range of activities including:

supporting the Net vir Pret; a not-for-profit project based in Smitsville Township to deliver informal educational projects supporting the progression of children and young people.
supporting children and young people living in poverty within isolated farmsteads funding direct work within the Smitsville Township which will benefit those children and young people living in poverty.
encouraging the use of music and other creative arts and sports for after school and holiday projects in townships.
recognising the effect of foetal alcohol syndrome in the township and enhance the healthy lifestyles of these and other disadvantaged children and young people around such issues as domestic abuse, parenting, (un)employment, HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol misuse and crime, as well as supporting their understanding of and access to good nutrition and housing.
encouraging township children and young people to become more aware of and take some responsibility for their environment.
encouraging the sharing of good practice in Smitsville with other townships.

Trustees continue to be aware of the public benefit of the work they fund. within the Smitsville Township. Young people continue to progress with their involvement in creative work within the Centre as their numbers increase and 16 NvP youngsters remained in further or higher education at the beginning of 2023 in spite of the enormous upheavals of COVID.

Public benefit also arises from improvements in the quality of life and mental and physical health of children and young people participating in funded activities; as well as broader community wide benefits associated with improvements in education, social inclusion, community and environmental awareness and public safety. The work is now being considered by other townships across the Overberg as a way forward.

Summary of the main activities undertaken during the period

Main activities funded during the year included supporting the work of Net vir Pret Children and Young People’s charity based in the Smitsville Township through:

A large programme of daily activities within the Net vir Pret Centre including creative work with under 10’s and a separate group for over 10’s in the craft studio making work for exhibiting and for marketing; Reaching up to 150 children per day.

a daily bicycle club with training in road safety and bike maintenance as well as riding;
a programme of pottery workshops run daily for skills development and production to a high standard for marketing and exhibiting.
Holiday Schools during all four school vacations. Reaching 130+ participants each time.
Outreach into 3 isolated Farm Schools on 3 days per week for play work, storytelling, creativity and crafts – all not on offer at these schools. Reaching 200 children aged 5-12 years over 3 days.
1 session per week on a 2 year rolling programme of structured training for “young leaders” with occasional excursions, to enable them to support the hands on work at NvP through volunteering. 25 participants involved in this training and ensuing delivery.
A 4 days per week Music tutoring programme of individual and ensemble instrumental and voice tuition. Up to 15 participants per day.
Daily Homework Club, offering space and computer time to up to 30 participants with support from staff.
Weekly drama programme improvising plays training to take to public performance and enter into Overberg drama festival involving 10 participants.
Four days per week training in djembe drumming and riel dancing to go to festivals and competitions. Reaching 30 participants.
Two days per week the Chess Club works with up to 40 youngsters challenging each other, members of the community, also against the computer before entering school tournaments.
Two single sex group work processes during a session per week over a 10 week period reaching 15 girls and 15 boys, looking at and supporting them through the challenges of puberty.
An afternoon meeting every week of the Eco Warrior group looking at their environment and taking positive action. 25-35 participants.
Young people about to and matriculate offered help with college and bursary applications when required.
Intern support for 5 interns working within Net vir Pret on a 10 month placement.
• Throughout the year various training and activities happen to support the incredible December Puppet Parade involving the whole of Net vir Pret. The work is finalised during the 3 weeks of the December Holiday School and the presentation is a whole day event culminating in a story using large and small puppets to present it to the wider community. At least 150 participants are involved in the parade.

Other skills training which has taken place in 2022-23 period included:

Bricklaying over a 6 month period full time for 9 participants.
Carpentry a daily workshop for 7 participants of hard to reach young people focussing on reusing old pallets.
Textile design - twice weekly practice in the design and production of high quality textile items.
Beginners’ computer practice on 5 mornings per week starting with basic computing and reaching 30 participants.
Occasional Friday morning Baking Workshop to produce bread and pastries for 15 participants.

Summary of the main achievements during the period

So many achievements during this period. Some of the special ones, many of which I was able to see for myself during a self-funded visit in early 2023:

➢ Staff member Sudonia was presented with the Top Achiever Award whilst attending a 5 day CPD course on Community Art Management.
➢ Staff member Herman attended further puppet building workshops to introduce him to lighter and malleable materials.
➢ A new Management structure was put in place by the NvP management board in recognition of the increased work of the Centre. The team will attempt to have a team management for a year whilst 2 of the team will jointly manage the NvP Centre Building and Development of the work. Change is always difficult, so the trial of this approach is a major achievement.
➢ 4 staff members attended the Puppetry, Pedagogies, Politics and Praxis workshop hosted by the University of the Western Cape where they delivered an excellent paper on the decade long involvement of Net vir Pret in puppetry.
➢ All 9 of those taking the Bricklayers Course were formally accredited and gained certificates of competence.
➢ The Children’s room was oversubscribed daily, and children produced amazing crafts which decorated the walls and ceiling of the room.
➢ The choir and young musicians performed to large audiences and were greatly acclaimed, and the Riel Dancers were seen by over 300 people at “the Net Vir Pret Riel Dance at Grootvadersbosch” (have a look on You Tube)
➢ The Spring Holiday School took 150 youngsters on a learning journey focusing on food – how to identify and eat healthily. Some of the community elders guided them through cooking with herbs and preparation of food.
➢ NvP eco warriors led the planting of 500 donated trees in the dry and dusty township.
➢ Pallets were reused and made into coffee and kitchen tables, bedframes, garden benches. They were marketed by the team and many were sold for NvP.
➢ The textile workshop produced some high quality cushions and other items which were sold locally and in a boutique.
➢ Roosterbred (delicious local bread baked on coals outdoors) was produced under the watchful eyes of the chef along with samosas – delicious.
➢ The pottery produced in the workshop was of high quality and made many parents very proud to have it in their homes. Some was snapped up at a Sunday market.
➢ 27 participants took part in a certificated digital citizen IT course.
➢ A number of children became involved in photography with a local artist and presented work at an annual festival.
➢ The girls only programme was very well received, and the issues around early teenage pregnancy tackled as this is a huge issue. This will be repeated and a boys only programme will use some of the same materials.
➢ A group of over 11-year-olds worked with staff to restore the Municipal playground which was in serious disrepair. Repairs were carried out and paint donated. The playground is now functioning.
➢ A group of NvP youngsters, trained in craft and artwork are now employed on a project to make art using string as the medium. Proving that youngsters learn about and develop their abilities at NvP and can get employment later.
➢ NvP is spreading the word about the work through invitations to wider events where Peter and other staff share information on their work.

➢ The Chess club had great success in the Overberg chess tournament enabling 5 to go onto the Western Cape Provincial Trials where one of them gained a gold medal and 4 of them gained bronze medals.
➢ 200 youngsters a day are fed by Net vir Pret chef Fabian. A not inconsiderable task.
➢ 16 new and continuing students enrolled in Tertiary Education in 2023 with a further 3 youngsters involved in apprenticeships.
➢ The December 2022 Annual Giant Puppet show was a triumph, as ever. The life and times of Duke the Zebra was watched by a huge crowd from both sections of the village. The first show to be created and produced entirely by The NvP team under the direction of Sudonia with assistance from a newly qualified actor ex NvP participant, Gabriel. Such amazing progress.
➢ Many visits from SA and overseas visitors including several funders. NvP is always happy to meet anyone interested in their work and the children always make everyone feel very welcome.
➢ The involvement of Net vir Pret with Puppetry and the progression through the 11 years of shows was presented through Video links as part of the South to South Dignity of the People Festival hosted by Argentina Please view by using this link and forwarding to 1:16:17 https://youtu.be/tiMI8ek5g2Q A superb viewing for some of the marvellous past creations and stories.

Financial review

Once again, the main source of funding this year was from voluntary donations mainly from our “Friends of EDSA” supporters including several private trusts and Give as You Earn. A volunteer and a Trustee did a sponsored canal walk of 30 miles to support the Charity and got very wet on the way. Many of the donations attracted Gift Aid.

EDSA sent the funds raised to South Africa for use within Net vir Pret and its variety of programmes. Much of the funding supports staffing and NvP Centre costs.

The costs incurred by EDSA charity are very small, simply to support the fundraising platform “Just Giving” and bank charges. All other costs are currently absorbed by Trustees in their voluntary capacity.

The charity’s fundraising policy

EDSA has a Fundraising Strategy (currently 2021-2025) which includes its policy, which is in line with that of the Fundraising Regulator. The charity is not a member of that organisation because EDSA is a small charity and does not wish to pay for services, which are felt to be less useful for such a small charity. EDSA does not pay other organisations to fundraise on its behalf.

The charity’s policy on reserves

EDSA applies funds raised towards vital township projects in South Africa, after retention of a small amount needed for fundraising in the UK. Grants are awarded as soon as possible after the necessary funds have been received. EDSA does not commit to make grants except out of funds already held by the charity.

Sufficient reserves are held only to ensure the smooth continuation of fundraising in the UK, and to retain a modest buffer for smaller grants that might be made in the short term. Reserves are reviewed annually, in conjunction with forecast income and expenditure, and sufficient funds are retained in reserve to ensure that costs may be met over the following three years.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Signed ______ Date _ Gary Lock, Trustee

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Education for Democracy in South Africa (EDSA) for the year ended 31 March 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 March 2023, and which are set out on pages nine to twelve.

Responsibilities and basis of the report

As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act, or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed ____ Date ______ John Maddocks, PhD.

Education for Democracy in South Africa Receipts & payments account for the year ended 31 March 2023

2022 Total Unrestricted Funds Funds £ Note £ Receipts 19,675 Grants & donations 2 & 3 33,460 - Bank interest 15 - Sundry receipts - 19,675 Total receipts 33,475 Payments 1,466 Fundraising costs 216 23,750 Charitable disbursements 4 39,877 629 Project equipment & materials 5 649 146 Bank charges 197 - Sundry payments - 25,991 Total payments 40,939 (6,316) Net receipts/(payments) (7,464) 16,970 Cash funds at start of this period 10,531 - Transfers between funds 6 - 10,654 Cash funds at end of this period 3,067	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - 123 - - - 123 (123) 123 - -	*2023* Total Funds £ 33,460 15 -
		33,475
		216 40,000 649 197 -
		41,062
		(7,587) 10,654 -
		3,067

Education for Democracy in South Africa Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 March 2023

2022 £ Cash assets Note 10,654 Bank accounts - Cash in hand 10,654 Other monetary assets - Debtors 7 - - Assets retained for the charity’s own use - No assets are retained for the charity's own use Liabilities - Creditors 8 - -	*2023* £ 3,067 -
	3,067
	- -
	-
	- - -
	-

These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:

Signed _____ Dated _____ Gary Lock, Trustee

Education for Democracy in South Africa Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Receipts & payments accounts

Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Usually, cash received, and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in hand.

2. Grants & donations received

Grants & donations received
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	£	£	£
Adept Care Homes	15,000	-	15,000
Melissa Wides Hoare Trustees	7,750	-	7,750
Sundry donations	10,710	-	10,710
	33,460	-	33,460

3. Funds analysis

Funds analysis
Restricted funds House Rebuild Project	Opening balance £ 123 123	Receipts £ - -	(Payments) £ (123) (123)	Transfers £ - -	Closing balance £ -
					-

4. Charitable disbursements

Charitable disbursements are funds provided by the EDSA charity to support various projects in South Africa. The majority of funds are currently used to support the Net vir Pret project.

5. Project equipment and materials

This includes equipment and materials purchased and donated to the Net vir Pret Project. Items donated during the year included toys, bike accessories, clothing, soccer balls, printer ink, seeds and stationery.

6. Transfers between funds

There were no transfers between funds.

7. Debtors

There were no debtors at year end.

8. Creditors

There were no creditors at year end.

9. Volunteers’ reimbursements

During the accounting period, no reimbursements relating to trustees’ travel and meeting expenses arose. A total of £649 was reimbursed to trustees for equipment and materials they purchased on behalf of the charity and which were donated to the Net vir Pret project. This is reported in the receipts and payments account under project equipment and materials.

10. Trustees’ remuneration

None of the trustees were paid any remuneration during the period. Trustees were reimbursed for project equipment and materials they had purchased on behalf of the charity (see note 9 above).

11. Glossary of terms

Creditors: These are amounts owed by the charity, but not paid in the accounting period.

Debtors: These are amounts owed to the charity, but not received in the accounting period.

Restricted funds: These are funds given to the charity, subject to specific restrictions set by the donor, and within the general objects of the charity.

2023-03-31-accounts