“At CAGE, the collective strives for core values that makes work meaningful and allows the individual to connect to the workplace beyond the day-to-day operations of a system,” says Programme Co-ordinator, Charmaine Estment. “These core values, embodied in the CAGE Isivivane, include collaborative and reflexive learning, mutual respect, striving for quality and cost effective disbursement, stewardship and a commitment to a common purpose around ‘building peace through knowledge’, the latter being words that resonate in all of the workings of CAGE ”.

Heading up the Secretariat of CAGE, Charmaine is accountable for the overall programme co-ordination, in compliance with National Treasury regulations and the European Commission guidelines, in terms of implementation of the CAGE Financing Agreement. Before CAGE, Charmaine taught at high school, lectured at Business Schools, managed a similar EU programme and worked freelance in the developmental sector. Currently enrolled as a Doctoral Candidate for her Doctorate of Business Leadership through UNISA and the Centre for African Renaissance Studies, Charmaine’s interest in study and knowledge led her from the University in Port Elizabeth and the University of the Witwatersrand, to Napier University Business School in the United Kingdom, where she completed her Masters of Business Administration.

“I have always been interested in multi-dimensional work that includes people, value systems, learning and knowledge and the role that these dimensions play in evidence-based decision-making,” says Charmaine. For her, CAGE has been a vibrant learning experience in that she started the programme from its inception and it has grown to be a well-known and respected donor programme in the conflict and governance sector. Various independent reviews have found that CAGE funds quality policy research and works in an efficient, effective and nuanced manner in terms of grant-making.

Although CAGE, in its present form, is closing - owing to shifts in high-level Official Development Assistance between South Africa and the European Union, Charmaine is confident that CAGE provided value in a niche area and that its impact will be evident in the coming years. When asked about her plans after CAGE, Charmaine indicates that she will be completing her Doctorate and hopes again to work independently as a freelancer, focusing on the developmental sector.

“CAGE’s success is attributable to a great team with great skills and passion for the sector,” says Operations Officer, Nathalie Vereen. Nathalie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications from the University of the Free State and has done short courses on policy development and management, and plans to further her studies in this area and sector. She has worked in the sector for the past six years and her project and grant management skills have been shaped by the European Union’s project implementation guidelines, and enhanced by the National Treasury’s governance support structures.

Nathalie is the driver behind the systems of CAGE’s development and internal project management system, web-based systems and the linked database. CAGE’s primary purpose is grant-making and Nathalie is instrumental in launching Calls for Proposals in the public domain, and whilst Charmaine ensures that all high-level issues and political avenues are addressed and paved, she has to support the process with eligible and user-friendly operational support, including a mainstreamed electronic and cyber system to allow for optimal exposure and uptake. The CAGE website has been an exciting project and it had to portray the spirit of the Facility – knowledge management and relationship building – whilst being a real and active fifth employee. This management and support had to ensure that this fifth “body” had very little bad hair days!

The CAGE team had developed a purpose as the immediate actors, says Nathalie, “To be a resource body that facilitates focused research in the conflict and governance arena, through grant-making, capacity-building and networking, for South African research organizations – promoting a shift in mindset in policy makers and/or reinforce sound policy frameworks.” This purpose materialized in building effective and mutually beneficial grantee relationships, to feed into the relationships built and maintained within the sector CAGE wished to support and influence.

“There is a definite need in the research sector for independent funding and still a critical need for emerging and new organizations, to be capacitated, sometimes beyond monetary input,” says Nathalie. “This will secure a vibrant and stimulating research community in South Africa and Africa as a whole, to share our experiences with the global world. I would want to contribute to this development.”

“I see myself as very fortunate to have worked in this sector since 1997, because there have been so many positive changes that have been implemented in South Africa – at all levels – and to know that I affected some of that change, is very fulfilling,” says Finance and Procurement Officer, Davina Jonathan. “CAGE is just one example of what hard work and dedication can do, and the growth of the facility has been phenomenal. CAGE was not only concerned with the development of society or of its beneficiaries, it also held individual staff development as paramount – and for this I am grateful.”

Davina’s role entailed supporting the Programme Co-ordinator, Charmaine Estment, in the organisation and operations of the financial management of the CAGE Facility. This involved the management of financial systems and frameworks, in compliance with National Treasury regulations and the European Commission guidelines, in terms of implementation of the CAGE Financing Agreement. “CAGE has given me the space and time to hone various skills, including project management,” says Davina. “CAGE, as an example of best practice for any organisation, has taught me not to be afraid of challenges and to face them with confidence.”

Currently enrolled to complete her Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial Psychology through UNISA, Davina plans to open her own business in future.

“Multi-tasking is the key to working in the development sector,” says Frontline and Office Administrator, Mpho Gadisi. “CAGE had just such an environment, and helped me grow not only emotionally and intellectually, but also stimulated me to expand myself academically.” Fluent in English, Venda, Zulu, Tswana and Northern Sotho, Mpho plans to continue her studies through UNISA, completing her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy.

At CAGE, her role involved supporting the Operations Officer, Nathalie Vereen, in all aspects of liaising with internal and external clients and office administration of the CAGE Facility. This entailed programme administration and public relations, in compliance with National Treasury regulations and the European Commission guidelines, in terms of implementation of the CAGE Financing Agreement.

“CAGE as an organisation, focused on uplifting civil society, and gave smaller organisations the opportunity to learn and grow,” says Mpho. “I also assisted in this kind of capacity-building, which gave me much fulfillment at the level of helping people in society.” With qualifications in Research Methodology, Public Relations, Education and Training, as well as Marketing, Mpho hopes to continue her involvement in the development sector, tapping into the donor community and assisting with community development.