… Amid claims of organisational coma
Staff Reporters
A pall of uncertainty has enveloped the Transformation Resource Centre (TRC), a prominent local rights advocacy organisation, amid allegations that its primary benefactor has withdrawn financial support, ostensibly plunging the institution into dormancy.
Despite these claims, TRC’s Executive Director, Tsikoane Peshoane, and the Chairperson of its Board, Mothusi Seqhee, have categorically dismissed the assertions as baseless and premature.
At the crux of the matter lies a protracted controversy involving allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against Peshoane.
Critics have accused the TRC board of dithering rather than resolving the issue expeditiously and conclusively – a controversy that has ostensibly dragged on for years, to the detriment of the organisation.
In January 2023, Bread for the World, a globally renowned development and relief agency of the Protestant Churches in Germany, told this publication that the TRC board should suspend Peshoane pending a thorough and decisive investigation into the allegations.
The agency underscored that TRC must not merely appear to address the accusations but must do so in a manner that unequivocally satisfies stakeholders.
The agency further emphasised its unwillingness to associate with an organisation perceived to trivialise grave issues such as sexual assault.
This purported inertia by the TRC board has, according to authoritative sources, culminated in the withdrawal of funding by Bread for the World, thereby incapacitating the organisation.
Bread for the World operates in nearly 90 countries, championing the empowerment of marginalised communities through initiatives encompassing food security, health promotion, education, democratic governance, human rights advocacy, and environmental integrity.
Seqhee, speaking on behalf of the board, described the allegations against TRC as unfounded and unfortunate.
“We are actively addressing this matter; however, it appears that certain individuals had preconceived expectations regarding specific outcomes within a particular timeframe. When these expectations were not realised, they hastily concluded that the board had been inactive,” Seqhee remarked.
“This is an issue of considerable gravity, carrying significant ramifications. It must be approached with the utmost diligence and prudence to avoid errors that could result in profound and lasting harm, necessitating prolonged corrective measures,” he emphasized.
When queried explicitly about whether Bread for the World had formally withdrawn its collaboration with TRC, Seqhee clarified that the organisation had not communicated any definitive decision.
“It seems they, too, harboured expectations regarding the trajectory of our actions and outcomes. When developments did not align with their expectations, discussions about suspending funding arose. However, as of today, there has been no official notification of funding cessation,” he asserted.
He further assured that TRC would publicly address the situation to ensure stakeholders and the broader public are accurately informed. “It is essential that these matters are heard directly from TRC to dispel misinformation and maintain transparency,” he concluded.
Peshoane also refuted allegations of organisational collapse, clarifying that TRC had merely suspended operations for the holiday season and was poised to resume normal activities on Monday, January 13.
He dismissed claims of funding withdrawal, asserting that no official notification from Bread for the World had been received.
“Even in the unlikely event of funding cessation, TRC possesses tangible assets that could be leveraged to sustain its operations. Why should it be news if Bread for the World withdraws funding? Funders come and go – it’s a normal occurrence.
“TRC is among the few organisations in this country with substantial properties and cannot be brought down by the withdrawal of a single funder. Consider how many development partners have ceased funding the government; has it collapsed? Certainly not,” Peshoane argued.
While he insists that TRC will resume operations on Monday, several individuals, who by their roles should be privy to such developments, expressed ignorance regarding the organisation’s reopening.
Speaking to Newsday yesterday, they indicated uncertainty, stating that, like everyone else, they would simply wait to see if the claim materialised. They further noted that TRC had effectively ceased most of its operations well before the onset of the Christmas holidays.
Established in 1979 by Jimmy and Joan Steward, the TRC emerged as an ecumenical resource center dedicated to justice, peace, and participatory development.
Rooted in Christian values, the organisation’s mission draws inspiration from Paulo Freire’s liberationist ideology, encompassing social analysis, justice advocacy, and community leadership.
The TRC derives its name from Training for Transformation, a seminal manual that encapsulates its foundational principles—a beacon for transformation and a veritable resource for socio-political empowerment.
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