Neftaly Charity – January 2026
SAYPRO – DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DBSA) PARTNERSHIP
Report by Neftaly Chief Development Officer
1. Introduction
January 2026 marked the beginning of a new calendar year for the Neftaly–DBSA partnership, setting the tone for ambitious growth and impact. The month focused on consolidating lessons from 2025, refreshing strategic priorities, and accelerating early-stage project launches across key provinces. Emphasis was placed on youth empowerment, infrastructure readiness, and strengthening partnerships with government and civil society.
2. Strategic Priorities for January
- Launch new youth skills and entrepreneurship programs in rural areas
- Complete preparatory work for community infrastructure projects planned for Q1 and Q2
- Enhance partnership coordination mechanisms with DBSA and municipal stakeholders
- Initiate baseline data collection for impact measurement
3. Key Highlights and Activities
a. Kick-off of Rural Youth Empowerment Program
Neftaly, with DBSA funding, launched a pilot Rural Youth Empowerment Program in Limpopo and Eastern Cape, aimed at providing:
- Vocational skills training
- Entrepreneurship development
- Digital literacy workshops
Within the first three weeks, over 1,200 youth were enrolled and actively participating.
b. Infrastructure Preparations Underway
Site assessments and stakeholder consultations were completed for:
- The establishment of two Community Development Centres in Gauteng and Free State
- Renovation of three rural schools with improved sanitation and ICT facilities
Procurement processes for construction and equipment were initiated.
c. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
Joint planning sessions were held with DBSA teams and local municipalities to align on project timelines, resource allocation, and monitoring frameworks.
4. Performance Indicators – January 2026
| Indicator | Result |
|---|---|
| Youth Enrolled in Skills Programs | 1,200+ |
| Community Infrastructure Projects Initiated | 5 (assessments & planning) |
| Stakeholder Meetings Held | 4 |
| Baseline Surveys Completed | 3 |
5. Challenges
- Delays in Procurement: Initial delays in sourcing equipment were experienced due to supply chain constraints; mitigated by securing alternative suppliers.
- Remote Area Access: Logistics challenges in remote areas required adjustments to training schedules.
- Data Collection Systems: Early-stage digital M&E platforms faced integration issues, prompting manual backups temporarily.
6. Outlook for February 2026
- Begin construction on Community Development Centres
- Expand Rural Youth Empowerment Program to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal
- Launch digital M&E dashboard pilot for real-time progress tracking
- Organize youth leadership forums in collaboration with local governments
7. Conclusion
January 2026 set a strong foundation for the Neftaly–DBSA partnership’s ambitious agenda for the year. Early successes in youth engagement and infrastructure planning demonstrate the viability of scalable, inclusive development approaches. Continued collaboration and adaptive management will be key to achieving transformative outcomes in 2026.