SayPro “A House Without Rules Is Nothing” — SayPro CEO Neftaly Malatjie Calls for Strong Governance at NPO Capacity Building Training

Johannesburg, South Africa – 26 June 2025

In a powerful message to nonprofit leaders and development practitioners, Neftaly Malatjie, CEO of SayPro (Southern Africa Youth Project), emphasized the importance of governance, systems, and accountability in building sustainable organizations. Speaking during the SayPro Capacity Building Training for NPOs Programme, held from 24 to 26 June 2025 at the Southern Africa Youth Project headquarters, Malatjie reminded attendees of a core truth in development leadership: “A house without rules is nothing.”

The three-day event brought together nonprofit professionals, community leaders, and youth development partners from across Southern Africa to strengthen their capacity in organizational management, compliance, and leadership.

Malatjie, a well-known figure in youth and community development, used the metaphor of a “house without rules” to illustrate the risks faced by nonprofits that lack structure, clear policies, or internal accountability.

“An organization, just like a house, needs order, direction, and discipline,” said Malatjie. “Without policies, procedures, and governance structures, even the most passionate missions will collapse. Passion must be matched with proper leadership.”

Throughout the training, participants explored key areas such as nonprofit governance, financial management, human resource compliance, fundraising accountability, and leadership development. Workshops were led by experts in nonprofit law, administration, and development strategy.

Malatjie’s message served as a central theme throughout the programme: nonprofits must adopt professional standards if they are to earn credibility and make a lasting impact.

“You can’t serve communities effectively if your internal operations are in disarray,” he continued. “Strong governance is not optional—it is the foundation of sustainability, trust, and growth.”

The SayPro Capacity Building Training for NPOs is part of SayPro’s broader mission to empower civil society organizations, with a focus on youth-led and community-based groups. By equipping nonprofit leaders with practical tools and systems, SayPro is helping to build a stronger and more accountable development sector in Southern Africa.

Attendees praised the event for its practical content and inspirational leadership. One participant shared, “Mr. Malatjie reminded us that we’re not just running community projects—we are running institutions that must be managed with integrity and structure.”

As the training concluded, organizations left with updated templates for policies, governance frameworks, compliance checklists, and a renewed commitment to operational excellence.

SayPro has confirmed that the Capacity Building Programme will continue to expand to more cities and regions throughout 2025, reaching hundreds of nonprofits in need of support and guidance.