Tenant Spotlight: South Africa Partners, Inc 

Reading a book to a child is a truly engaging experience. Each page has potential to evoke unbounded curiosity, emotion and learning. Most families in the United States are able to enjoy free and regular access to books through local libraries and schools. But others are far less fortunate.

South Africa Patners’ Michelle Sedaca (R) with NPC program manager Jackie Cefola

An important program of South Africa Partners offers a new way to enjoy stories of South African authors while at the same time providing much-needed books for South African children.

Masifunde Sonke: Let Us Read Together Book Program

South Africa Partners emerged from the anti-Apartheid movement to harness the power of partnerships and improve opportunities for current and future generations in South Africa. Through Masifunde Sonke, South Africa Partners chose to highlight 25 outstanding South African children’s books and offer them for sale in the United States. 

For each book sold, South Africa Partners donates a second copy directly to an underresourced South African school.

Most books are being offered in the United States for the first time, creating a unique opportunity for those who contribute. To support sales of the books, South Africa recently opened an e-Bookshop.

Rebuilding a Nation through Partnership 

As exemplified in Masifunde Sonke, partnership is essential for long-term success. Kate Sipples, education program officer at South Africa Partners, explains the centrality of partnership to the design of the organization’s programs. “We identify organizations in South Africa and the United States with similar missions, where a partnership would be mutually beneficial. This model of international development is based on long-term commitment and sustainability. 

“Practitioners are brought together to address social, political, and economic needs in a manner that strengthens communities, builds institutional capacity, and fosters local leadership.”

South Africa Partners currently works on programs to support improved healthcare, education and economic development in South Africa. Throughout all programs, American and South African practitioners work together to develop solutions. In addition to this international collaboration, leaders also work indirectly with the post-Apartheid, democratic government.

Tenancy at the NonProfit Center

NonProfit Center
Tenant Spotlights

• Komen for the Cure
• Chefs Collaborative
• South Africa Partners
• Boston Pride Committee
• Easter Seals Technology and Training Center
• World Society for the Protection of Animals
• Nonprofit Finance Fund
• VSA arts of Massachusetts
• Disability Rights Fund
• Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network
• The Shalupe Foundation
• Tutors for All

South Africa Partners’ U.S.-based staff moved to the NonProfit Center in fall 2004. Locating in the NonProfit Center was the productive choice, Kate believes. Their fourth floor office space is complemented by an ample conference room and kitchen, where guests and staff can relax and comfortably talk.

Building location is also important for facilitating partnerships. “The location of the NonProfit Center is really great. We’re very accessible near South Station,” notes Martina Bouey, senior director of development. “When people come to visit or we go to other meetings, all of our partners are not too far off making it very convenient.”

Martina is also very happy with the center’s tenant-focused programming. Trainings, discussion groups and opportunities to mix and mingle with staff from neighboring nonprofit organizations are offered several times a month. “The technology training and consulting services that Third Sector New England offers have been very helpful,” she explains. “When our organization acquired some more equipment, it was really great to be able to get a quick consultation.”

Like all NonProfit Center tenants, South Africa Partners is committed to working in a community of organizations for progressive change. “Being in the building with other nonprofit organizations and leaders is really fun. I’ve gotten to know other organizations in the Boston area that are doing some really interesting work,” Martina says. “Boston After School & Beyond has introduced us to South African colleagues of theirs, which is great. We in turn serve as a resource for other individuals in the community with an interest in South Africa.”

Adds Kate, “It is comforting and supportive to be in the company of organizations that share our goals for making a difference.”

Learn more about South Africa Partners and the Masifunde Sonke: Let Us Read Together book program. For more information about the NonProfit Center, please email info@nonprofitcenterboston.org.

Learn more about other NonProfit Center tenant organizations by visiting Our Tenants and Tenant Spotlight sections.