Our history and strengths

Sinani started life as the Programme for Survivors of Violence in 1994. It was formed to address party political (ANC-IFP) conflict and violence in mainly rural communities in KwaZulu Natal. Over time, while this focus on addressing political conflicts and tensions has remained, our emphasis has extended to embrace working with other forms of conflict (e.g. around traditional leaders and elected officials, gender-based violence, intergenerational issues, within different traditional and cultural groups etc.) as well as addressing some of the main challenges and problems facing these conflict-ridden (or post-conflict) communities, in particular HIV/AIDS and poverty. An increased emphasis on supporting the development of local organisations also became pivotal.

We are currently engaged with 13 communities across four Districts of KwaZulu Natal and are working with over 150 local organisations and structures.

We address emerging contextual factors which we believe need more sustained attention, these include:

• The prevalence of violence and conflict in communities (including: gender-based violence; conflicts between traditional authorities and elected councillors; other forms of conflict, e.g. that between youth and adults/aged)
• The very high prevalence of HIV and AIDS in communities
• Poverty and its concomitant social, psychological and economic implications
• The  climate of passivity and dependence that has begun to characterise many South African communities – in particular under-resourced, rural communities

Who is Sinani

Sinani is a Nguni word which means “we are with you.” Sinani, otherwise known as the KwaZulu-Natal Programme for Survivors of Violence. Sinani is a dynamic non-government organization which has earned a positive reputation for collaborative partnerships with communities affected by violence, poverty and HIV & Aids. Sinani offer the following programmes and believe that these 3 programmes are interrelated.

• Peace-Building
• Poverty Alleviation
• HIV & Aids

Here are some of the innovative approaches being developed by Sinani and it's community partners:

• Solution Focus Approach
• Young Men - Masculinity Work
• Respect Campaign
• Social Circus Project

Latest events

• Vumengazi in July  held a HIV & Aids awareness attended by more than 1500 people,
• Thoyana in August  held an anti-teenage walk attended by 500 young people
• Nhlazuka in September held a peace campaign & heritage attended by 1500 of which 300 were the local leadership both traditional and political leadership.
• Chobeni in October  held a leadership forum tolerance campaign attended by 1000 people
• Mid-Illovo end of October  held a dialogue on young people’s challenges attended by 700 people
• Lindelani in November held a HIV and Aids prevention attended by 1700 people of which 700 were men
• At local level, the highlight for 2012 has been the work of a CBO working with children (Uthando) who managed to organise a launch.
• The Sinani Social Circus work with children and youth at risk to show that there are better things to do in life. "We perfom for communites who are survivors of violence to bring back smiles on their faces with hope to heal their hurting souls."
• Partnership- tdh & Sinani in training and facilitation. This programme is regarded as a “partner platform” for mutual exchange amongst partners. Sinani, tdh partner organisation trained in SFA and participating organisation of the tdh regional program “youth2youth” accepted to facilitate the partner meeting.
• Sinani's Award of Excellence!!!
• Richmond Municipality has awarded Sinani a certificate of excellence. In 2011 the organisation is now 16 years servicing communities of KwaZulu Natal
• Circus programme report-FIFA Soccer World cup