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Introduction

As we entered the first quarter of 2020, the partnership between Neftaly and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) continued to build strong momentum in delivering high-impact programmes focused on youth development, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure awareness. This collaboration remains a key driver in addressing the systemic challenges faced by young South Africans, especially in under-resourced urban and rural areas.

This February 2020 report outlines the progress and achievements of joint initiatives implemented between November 2019 and January 2020, along with the evolving strategy to increase the depth and reach of our shared mission.

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Strategic Focus Areas

Aligned with the goals of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and DBSA’s infrastructure-led development framework, the Neftaly–DBSA partnership in early 2020 focused on:

• Workplace readiness and vocational skills development
• Support for youth-led enterprises and innovation
• Infrastructure and civic education
• Digital literacy and 4IR preparedness
• Youth participation in local development

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Key Activities and Achievements (Nov 2019 – Jan 2020)

1. Youth Skills and Employability Training

• Trained 1,750 youth in vocational areas including digital literacy, communication, retail, and business administration.
• Conducted 10 job-readiness workshops focused on CV writing, interview techniques, and professional conduct.

2. Enterprise Development and Mentorship

• Facilitated entrepreneurship bootcamps in Gauteng and North West provinces for over 120 aspiring youth entrepreneurs.
• Matched 30 youth-run businesses with mentors from the private sector for 6-month support cycles.

3. Civic Engagement and Infrastructure Awareness

• Delivered infrastructure education sessions with DBSA support, reaching 550 youth and community members.
• Topics included municipal budgeting, public participation, and the impact of infrastructure on community development.

4. Youth-Led Community Development Initiatives

• Supported 6 youth-led community projects addressing local infrastructure challenges, sanitation issues, and public safety.
• Incorporated feedback into municipal planning consultations in two local municipalities.

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Impact Snapshot

Activity Area	Outcome (Nov 2019 – Jan 2020)
Youth Trained in Skills Development	1,750+
Entrepreneurs Mentored	30
Youth Reached Through Infrastructure Education	550+
Youth Projects Funded or Supported	6
Community Stakeholder Forums Conducted	4

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Challenges and Mitigation

1. Resource Gaps in Rural Areas

• Inconsistent access to training venues and internet connectivity delayed sessions in remote communities.
  Mitigation: Partnered with local schools and community halls to host mobile training labs.

2. Limited Access to Seed Capital

• Despite strong entrepreneurial training, many startups lacked funding to launch.
  Mitigation: Initiated dialogue with microfinance institutions and local SMME support hubs.

3. Low Engagement in Civic Education

• Some participants lacked basic understanding of government systems.
  Mitigation: Simplified materials and introduced gamified learning to increase engagement.

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Lessons Learned

• Practical, hands-on training leads to higher retention and engagement.
• Youth are eager to engage in local development if their voices are respected and supported.
• Peer mentorship increases confidence and commitment among young entrepreneurs.

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Recommendations for 2020 Expansion

1. Launch a mobile learning unit to serve hard-to-reach communities.
2. Develop a digital hub with curated content and tools for youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure knowledge.
3. Formalize partnerships with municipalities to co-design youth infrastructure forums.
4. Create an impact fund for youth-led community innovations and micro-enterprises.

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Conclusion

As of February 2020, the Neftaly–DBSA partnership continues to deliver scalable, inclusive, and innovative development solutions for young South Africans. With a strong foundation and growing demand, we are well-positioned to deepen our reach and impact throughout 2020. The months ahead will focus on digital transformation, local economic inclusion, and increasing youth voices in infrastructure and governance.

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Acknowledgments

Neftaly extends its deepest appreciation to the Development Bank of Southern Africa for its leadership and unwavering support of our shared goals. We also acknowledge the dedication of our youth participants, community partners, and local government allies whose contributions remain central to our success.

Neftaly Charity

February 2016 Report
Neftaly – Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Partnership

Report by:
[Name], Chief Development Officer, Neftaly

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Introduction

In February 2016, Neftaly Charity initiated internal conversations and early strategic analysis regarding a potential partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Recognizing DBSA’s role in infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth, Neftaly has identified this institution as a key strategic ally to amplify youth development, skills training, and enterprise support across underserved communities in South Africa.

This report outlines Neftaly’s early preparatory actions, initial research findings, and the proposed direction for building this long-term partnership.

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Vision for the Partnership

The envisioned partnership between Neftaly and DBSA is centered on bridging infrastructure investment with social impact by:

• Leveraging DBSA’s capital and planning capacity
• Combining it with Neftaly’s grassroots reach and proven youth development models
• Co-creating sustainable pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment

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Strategic Research & Alignment

• Reviewed DBSA’s strategic priorities, particularly the Development Mandate around social infrastructure, youth employment, and capacity building for municipalities.
• Identified intersecting themes with Neftaly’s work in youth empowerment, public participation, and community-led service delivery.
• Benchmarked similar partnerships DBSA has with NGOs and development agencies to understand partnership models and entry points.

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Internal Readiness Assessment

• Conducted a high-level audit of Neftaly’s governance, financial controls, and reporting systems.
• Initiated early conversations with internal teams to evaluate capacity for scale and partnership compliance.
• Outlined priority areas for strengthening, including:
  • Financial management systems
  • Monitoring and evaluation tools
  • Legal and partnership frameworks

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Preliminary Engagement Steps

• Drafted an internal Engagement Strategy for DBSA, including short-, medium-, and long-term engagement goals.
• Identified key DBSA departments for possible initial outreach:
  • Social Infrastructure Delivery
  • Development Planning
  • Innovation and Partnerships
• Prepared summary materials (e.g. Neftaly Profile, Impact Overview, and Theory of Change) to share with potential DBSA contacts.

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Proposed Areas of Collaboration

Neftaly has identified the following programmatic areas as viable starting points for a DBSA-aligned pilot:

1. Youth Development Hubs co-located with DBSA-funded infrastructure
2. Enterprise Incubation for Township Entrepreneurs
3. Monitoring & Social Audits of local development projects
4. Digital Skills Training in partnership with municipalities and TVET colleges

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Risks and Considerations

• Neftaly’s limited track record with development finance institutions may necessitate additional support in compliance and reporting.
• DBSA’s scale and mandate require Neftaly to demonstrate replicability and measurable return on social investment.
• Strategic patience and step-by-step engagement will be crucial to building mutual trust and alignment.

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Next Steps

• Finalize and approve Neftaly’s internal DBSA Engagement Pack for formal outreach.
• Map out initial contact opportunities via sector events or direct meetings.
• Begin development of a concept proposal for a joint pilot project in Q2 2016.
• Continue capacity-building initiatives in financial systems and results-based management.

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Conclusion

February 2016 represents the start of an important journey. Neftaly is laying the groundwork for a future collaboration with DBSA that could scale impact, improve infrastructure outcomes, and bring lasting change to South African communities. With careful planning and strategic alignment, this partnership holds significant promise for shared development outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Neftaly Strategy and Operations teams for their dedication in preparing the foundation for this opportunity. We also acknowledge the expertise of our advisors and early supporters who have helped shape our thinking.

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[Name]
Chief Development Officer
Neftaly Charity
February 2016

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