SayPro Monthly – April Edition (SCSPR-81) under the theme of Qualification Accreditation in Informal Settlements and Backyard Strategic Partnerships, prepared by the SayPro Qualification Accreditation Strategic Partnerships Office operating under the SayPro Strategic Partnerships Royalty:
SayPro Monthly – April Edition (SCSPR-81)
Theme: Qualification Accreditation in Informal Settlements and Backyard Strategic Partnerships
Prepared by: SayPro Qualification Accreditation Strategic Partnerships Office
Under: SayPro Strategic Partnerships Royalty
Overview
This April 2025 edition of SayPro Monthly (SCSPR-81) focuses on the critical theme of developing and accrediting qualifications for professionals and stakeholders engaged in the transformation, development, and management of informal settlements and backyard communities. These efforts fall under the strategic direction of SayPro’s ongoing commitment to innovation, inclusion, and localized capacity building through partnerships, professional accreditation, and qualifications development.
Purpose of the Edition
The goal of this edition is to outline the framework and progress toward the SayPro Accreditation and Qualification Strategy for informal settlements and backyard development initiatives. It explores:
- The importance of formalizing skills and expertise in these communities
- The establishment of professional pathways and qualifications
- Strengthening strategic partnerships with local, national, and international entities
- Aligning development with regulatory, social, and economic transformation goals
Strategic Intent
The SayPro Qualification Accreditation Strategic Partnerships Office is tasked with:
- Developing a structured accreditation and qualifications framework specifically tailored to professionals working within the unique context of informal settlements and backyard dwellings.
- Establishing partnerships with municipal governments, NGOs, development agencies, training providers, and grassroots organizations.
- Recognizing and formalizing informal knowledge, community expertise, and practical skills that are typically excluded from formal qualification systems.
Framework Focus: Informal Settlements and Backyard Communities
1. Contextual Understanding
Informal settlements and backyard dwellings are home to millions across Southern Africa and beyond. Many of the individuals engaged in planning, servicing, and managing these communities are:
- Community leaders
- Informal builders and artisans
- Social development facilitators
- Informal utility and infrastructure coordinators
These professionals operate without formal qualifications, yet their work is essential to sustainable development.
2. Accreditation Framework Components
The framework SayPro is developing includes:
- Competency-based qualifications aligned with real-world community needs
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes for community experts
- Modular learning pathways that allow progression from informal to formal qualifications
- Alignment with the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and international standards
- A digital credentialing system for issuing verified certificates and badges
3. Strategic Partnership Areas
Key partners in this initiative include:
- Municipalities (e.g., housing and development departments)
- Universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges
- International development organizations (e.g., UN-Habitat, Cities Alliance)
- Local NGOs and CBOs working within informal settlements
These partnerships aim to provide curriculum development, field training, assessment mechanisms, and funding or support for implementation.
Royalty Strategy & Governance
The SayPro Strategic Partnerships Royalty provides oversight, governance, and resource allocation for this initiative. It ensures:
- Alignment with SayPro’s broader Transformative Development Agenda
- That quality standards, ethics, and inclusive practices are embedded in all qualifications
- That partnerships are ethically sound, equitable, and accountable to communities
Current Developments (April Highlights)
- Pilot Accreditation Launch: A pilot program in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha community began this April, certifying 30 informal construction professionals using a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) model.
- MoU Signed with Two Municipalities: Johannesburg and eThekwini municipalities have committed to co-develop localized training hubs.
- Toolkit Release: SayPro published a Practitioner’s Toolkit for Accreditation in Informal Settings, now available online.
- Training-of-Trainers (ToT) Workshop: Held in Durban, focusing on backyard housing compliance, safety, and green building techniques.
Upcoming Plans
- Digital Learning Portal Launch – Q2 2025
An interactive e-learning portal tailored for informal sector professionals will provide short courses, assessments, and certification options. - Annual Accreditation Symposium – June 2025
Stakeholders from across Southern Africa will convene to refine the SayPro Accreditation Framework and share best practices. - Expansion to SADC Region
SayPro plans to extend this initiative into neighboring countries by the end of 2025, starting with Botswana and Lesotho.
Conclusion
SayPro’s SCSPR-81 April edition marks a transformative step in recognizing and empowering those who contribute to the socio-economic resilience of informal settlements and backyard communities. By establishing a credible, inclusive, and practical accreditation framework, SayPro is shaping a future where grassroots knowledge meets formal recognition—unlocking opportunity, dignity, and systemic development.
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