ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT FACILITATORS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

(ASEFSA)
“CREATING A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES”
Vision
Engaged, informed and prosperous Social Engagement Facilitators transforming society and
growing their Community of Practice
Mission
To promote Social Engagement Facilitation as a career, a profession and a community of
practice (CoP) through recognition, training and accreditation of Social Engagement
Facilitators (SEFs) and Social Engagement Practitioners(SEPs)
Who are the social engagement facilitators?
This is an all-encompassing term referring to social facilitators, community participation
officers, community liaison officers and development practitioners. ASEFSA recognizes the
significant role that these individuals and their organizations play in socio-economic
development and the need for them to be recognized as practicing professionals.
Objectives
● To regulate the social engagement facilitation profession/CoP.
● To promote moral and ethical behaviours amongst SEFs and Social Engagement
Practitioners.
● Develop and advance the social engagement facilitation as a profession
● Create a space and platform for social engagement facilitators to share ideas and
experiences and learn from each other.
● Conduct research and produce publications,
● Connect social engagement facilitators with other social partners.
● Organize networking sessions, conferences, trainings and exchange sessions for SEFs
and SEPs.
● Identify opportunities, negotiate and secure contracts on behalf of ASEFSA
members.
ASEFSA legal status
The Association is a registered non-profit making company (NPC). The highest decision-
making body of ASEFSA is the COUNCIL which is constituted by the Executive and members
in good standing.
Constitution of the council
● The Association Council is made up of fifteen members, including members of the
executive council.

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 ● The Council is constituted by a constitution.
● The terms of office of Council members is two years.
● Council members are elected by members.

Roles and functions of social engagement facilitators (SEFs) and practitioners

1. Facilitate social engagement in targeted development projects areas,
2. Intervene to provide guidance and resolve conflicts
3. Development of Social Engagement Facilitation Strategies for companies and
municipalities.
4. Provide Development intelligence/Social Intelligence information, to prevent conflicts and
disruptions and identify feasible intervention strategies
5. Conduct community awareness campaigns,
6. Provide trainings on social engagement
7. Stakeholder engagement facilitation (MOU, ToR etc)
6. Economic Transformation analysis tools
8. Investors attraction and engagement
9. Development of Social Accords for District Municipalities and Provinces.

Areas of intervention
1. Social unrests, economic disruptions such as cable theft, project stoppages
2. Commercial land development disputes and facilitation of access to land for development
3. Beneficiation for local communities in development projects and advice to companies on
Corporate Social Investment (CSI) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
4. Economic pressure groups engagement,
5. Fairness and justice in economic distribution with a specific focus on SMMEs and
Cooperatives.
6. Projects committees formation and trainings,

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Roles and functions of ASEFSA
1. Register Social Engagement Facilitators
2. Regulate the practice of social engagement facilitation
3. Provide strategic and professional support to members,
4. Develop and accredit training courses fo rsocial engagement facilitation trainings.
5. Set standards and procedures for the Community of Practice (CoP)
6. Organize network sessions and conferences for SEFs
7. Regulate social engagement facilitations prices charged on clients.
8. To share both explicit knowledge (data, information, documents, records and files) and
tacit knowledge (experience, thinking, competence) etc.
10. Market the services of SEFs /SEP and lobby for its recognition and utilization of
practitioner’s services by other social partners.
11. Lobby and advocate for the recognition of Social Engagement Facilitators and
transformation in the economy to cater for the previously disadvantaged cohorts.
12. Monitor legislative compliance (BBBEE, set aside etc) of established enterprises.
13. Connect big businesses and investors with Social Engagement Facilitators/SEPs
14. Research the market, engage with other social partners especially the government and
the private sector and identify opportunities for members.

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BENFITS OF USING SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT FACILITATION
❖ Investor confidence enhancement
❖ Increased productivity and profits
❖ People centred development and community ownerships of development processes
❖ Integration of SMMEs and Cooperatives in the mainstream the economy
❖ Disputes and conflicts amicably resolved.
❖ Increased trust and cooperation of all social partners.
❖ Socio economic stability
❖ Increased employment opportunities
❖ Open and accessible channels of engagement for disgruntled communities and
other social partners.
❖ Social cohesion and connection resulting in peace and stability.

Membership
There are five categories of membership of the council
1. Individual Social Engagement Facilitators/Social Engagement Practitioners (those who
have completed a social engagement facilitation course and received a Certificate of
Completion)
2. Entities Practicing Social Engagement facilitators
3. Social Engagement Practitioners (Those who have completed a five-day training and
completed a portfolio of evidence (three months)
4. Recognition of prior learning and experience: members who complete a five-day course
and have a proven record of social engagement facilitation shall be granted Social
Engagement Practitioners Status based on their application and completion of assessment.
5. Honorary membership: these are members who are recognized and honoured for their
contribution and excellence in social engagement facilitation and for their long service in
this field.
Membership fees
Annual membership fee is R1800 or R150 per month for those who prefer to pay monthly
instalments but it is advisable to pay the whole amount in order to enjoy all the benefits,
Administration costs
Members who acquire work/tenders through ASEFSA are required to contribute 10% of
their income towards administration and sustainability of ASEFSA.

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Commission
Members who through their efforts bring work to ASEFSA shall be entitled to between 10%
and 15% percent of the whole amount of the project, as a consultation fee, subject to the
Executive Committee permission.
Memberships benefits
● Referrals: members are invited to provide services to clients
● Joint ventures: For big projects members of the Association shall cooperate in
project implementation.
● Learning and growing together: As a community of practice, members learn from
each other through information sharing.
● Exposure: membership allows the members to be exposed to different environments
to enhance their skills and increase their knowledge and generate income.
● Social Entrepreneurship: those working as consultants get an opportunity to grow
their practices while contributing to the growth of local economies.
● Employment creation: Social Engagement facilitation is in demand as the country
enters a phase of 4th industrialization revolution and infrastructure development
characterised by tensions, uncertainties and possibilities.

CONTACT DETAILS
Executive director: Sthembiso Madlala
Email address: sthembiso.madlala@gmail.com
Contact details: 0722342992

“CREATING A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES”

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 ANNEXURE 1

ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT FACILITATORS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

(ASEFSA) ORGANOGRAM

15 COUNCIL MEMBERS
LED BY ASEFSA
CHAIRPERSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

COMMUNICATIO
FINANCE OFFICER RESEARCH N AND LIASON PROJECTS OFFICER
OFFICER

ADMINISTRATOR/COUNCIL
SECRETARY

OTHER DIRECTORATES

1. Legal and Compliance Directorate

2. Marketing Directorate
3. Skills Development and training Directorate
4. Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate
5. Mining Sector Directorate
6. Government Sector Directorate
7. Private Sector directorate
8. Community Sector Directorate

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 ANNEXURE: SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT CYCLE

1.
CONTRACTUAL
AGREEMENT
7. PROJECT CLOSURE,
HANDOVER AND 2. SOCIAL
CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT AND FACILITATION
MAINTENANCE STRATEGY
DEVELOPMENT

6.
MONITORING 3. COMMUNITY
AND NEEDS, SMMES
CONTINOUS DATA BASE
FEEDBACK DEVELOPMENT

4. FORMATION
5. TRAINING OF
AND CAPACITY STAKEHOLDERS
BUILDING STRUCTURES
AND MOUs

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