SANCA National strengthens its national footprint by offering structured mentorship to both affiliated SANCA centres and emerging community-based organisations (CBOs) working in the field of Substance Use Disorders (SUD). This service ensures that all partners operate at a high standard of care, governance, and compliance with national norms and standards.
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SANCA National support, empowers, and capacitate emerging organisations that are registered as NPO’s and as a community-based substance abuse organisation under the Prevention and Treatment of Substance abuse Act 70 of 2008. The mentorship process in different for each organisation depending on their needs. The mentorship programme is not only offered to SANCA member organisations, but also to emerging organisations that comply with specific criteria.
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The mentorship process includes:
• A mentorship agreement
• An online baseline and endline assessment
• Development of an Improvement plan
• Training and capacity building for governance, leadership and programme implementation
The mentorship criteria are:
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Registered as a Non-profit organisation
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Registered with Department of Social Development as a community-based, out-patient, in-patient or halfway house under Act 70 of 2008
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Have an active and committed managing board.
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Provide prevention and/or treatment services to people with substance use/misuse or disorders.
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Sign an agreement with SANCA National.
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Payment agreement for the mentorship (costing scale)​
Why MENTORSHIP Matters
Substance use continues to affect individuals, families, and communities across South Africa — yet many organisations working at the frontline lack the resources, systems, or governance structures to deliver consistent, evidence-based care.
Without support, these organisations may struggle to comply with national norms and standards, risking service disruption or missed opportunities for funding and impact.
The Mentorship and Capacity Building programme ensures that both SANCA affiliates and emerging community-based organisations are not only operationally strong, but also legally compliant, clinically effective, and financially sustainable. By investing in organisational development, SANCA helps amplify the reach and quality of substance use prevention and treatment services nationwide.
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This service directly contributes to:
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Expanding access to quality SUD programmes in underserved communities
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Building resilience among grassroots NPOs and service providers
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Restoring credibility and functionality in struggling centres
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Maintaining SANCA’s trusted reputation as a national leader in the sector
Ultimately, this mentorship programme strengthens the entire treatment and recovery ecosystem — so that more individuals, especially vulnerable youth, have access to the help they need.
Mentorship for SANCA Member Organisations
SANCA National provides direct mentorship to its member centres to ensure service excellence and sustainability. The focus is twofold:
Growth & Expansion – By mentoring new and emerging SANCA centres and community partners, we help build strong foundations in governance, operational systems, and evidence-based practices across the prevention-treatment continuum.
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Restoring Compliance – For centres facing suspension or compliance challenges, we offer intensive remedial support, including root cause analysis, structured recovery plans, and hands-on guidance to support successful re-affiliation and service continuity.
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This mentorship ensures consistent quality across our national network and safeguards the SANCA brand as a trusted provider of substance use services in South Africa.
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Mentorship for Non-SANCA Organisations
Recognising the increasing demand for compliant and community-driven SUD services, SANCA also mentors non-affiliated NPOs and grassroots organisations. Between 2018 and 2021, we supported over 66 emerging CBOs, particularly through the Aftercare & Reintegration Programme. This included specialised mentorship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Currently, SANCA National is actively mentoring 18 organisations across all nine provinces. This support includes:
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Training managers in sound operational systems and procedures
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Equipping management boards with effective governance skills
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Strengthening prevention, early intervention, treatment, aftercare and reintegration services
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Promoting alignment with government standards and funding expectations
This programme is open to any NPO in the sector seeking support to become compliant, impactful, and sustainable in their service delivery.
