The Southern African Non-Governmental Organisation Network (SANGONeT) has announced the launch of phase one of the PRODDER, a South African NGO and development directory.

Previously compiled and produced by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) from 1987 to 2001, PRODDER established itself as the most comprehensive development publication of its kind in Africa and became a much sought-after reference tool
on Southern African development issues.

Now the database is available online.

PRODDER forms part of Sangonet's broader information services, which aim to provide a user-friendly one-stop Internet entry point to information on South African NGOs and development organisations, including parastatals, community-based organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, embassies and government bodies, each listed with contact details and programme areas.

PRODDER will showcase the work of these organisations, raise awareness of their activities, and highlight the issues and challenges they face. The new PRODDER directory will provide all stakeholders in the South African development process with a strategic tool to enhance networking, information-sharing, governance, decision-making and the allocation of resources.

During Phase One of the project, all South African NGOs and development organisations are invited to search the PRODDER directory at www.prodder.org.za), review and update their information or submit new
entries. Organisations without Internet access may request an input sheet from Sangonet, which can be e-mailed or faxed.

PRODDER already includes information on more than 2 500 South African NGOs and development organisations. All these entries need to be validated by the end of September 2005.

The next version of PRODDER will be launched on 24 October 2005 to coincide with World Development Information Day. During this phase, the directory will be expanded to incorporate the NPO database from the National Department of Social Development, which consists of 36 000 organisations, as well as more in-depth information on every listed
organisation (e.g. governance, finances, human resources, infrastructure, etc.).

In future, the focus and contents of PRODDER will also be expanded to cover the rest of Southern Africa.

For more information on the new PRODDER directory, as well as to submit your information and feedback, please contact Julie Machin, PRODDER senior information coordinator at Sangonet. Telephone +2711-403-4935 or email prodder@sangonet.org.za.