Founding Provisions

From the offices of Uthaka Brain Power (UBPA)

Compiled by: Chairperson, Thulani Nkosi and Secretary, Bongani Mntambo.

To: Our Associates and all sympathizers of UBPA.

The Associates of the Uthaka Brain Power Association should note that what is to follow is a detailed report accompanied by the minutes of the meeting that was held on the 23rd February 2008 at the University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus. That meeting was a watershed moment in our history as it is the building block of everything positive and developmental that is to follow in our existence as Uthaka Brain Power Association. That meeting did not only breathe life to our lifeless body as an association, but it also gave as a name that signals unity. It is because of that meeting that no one can dare call us an organization any longer, and it is because of that meeting that individuals are no longer members but associates of Uthaka Brain Power Association (UBPA).

The meeting was called as a prerequisite to the adoption of the constitution and the adoption of our first ever program of action. In terms of the said constitution, s. 1 provides that there shall be one name that all members will identify themselves with and/or be identified by hence, Uthaka Brain Power Association. Section 10 of the constitution provides that; a general meeting where big and major decisions like the ones taken on February, 23 in UJ, will be held annually.

More so, s. 10 provided that a meeting of this magnitude; must for all intents and purposes be properly constituted in terms of a Quorum. Accordingly, eleven members were identified as being instrumental in the formation of UBPA and were accordingly praised with that status of being founders of UBPA. Of the said eleven members six were present and thus meeting the Quorum requirement of s.10. For this reason the members present had constitutional rights and authority to come to the decisions they came to and accordingly bind all associates present or absent.

The meeting as a matter of necessity also elected its first leadership in terms of s. 8(a-c). The executive leadership was comprised in accordance with s. 8 (i-iii) as will be further evident in the minutes to follow. The associates whether in the executive or as heads or mere participants in the various portfolios are all aware of s. 6 and the burden it puts on them. Furthermore, the associates have applied their minds to ss. 7 and 8 read together with s.3 of the constitution particularly the burdens that these provisions place on each associate as an individual and, alternatively, on all associates as a collective. It then follows that the associates will bind themselves to these provisions, uphold and defend them.

Section 2 of the constitution was left to each associate to make written submissions on its implementation. The meeting as evident in the minutes held authoritatively that there shall be an induction process of all leadership structures so as to determine the roles of each associate. Throughout the meeting the chairperson and associates were cognizant of the fact that collective leadership was a prerequisite, and that leadership positions were always incentives for dedication and determination to the cause of the association.

The induction will not in itself diverge much from the already fixed obligations and duties of the executive as per s. 9 of the constitution. It will however, informed by the constitution, determine the roles of portfolio heads. It is only in the determination of what each associate is required to do that the incentives idea will be fully explored. All associates are good leaders in their own right and should be given an opportunity to lead at some point as we cannot all lead at the same time. Those not elected to any leadership position yet should not be discouraged from working hard with the present elected associates in advancing and furthering the aims and objectives of UBPA. For all that is worth; that is what our constitution requires of us.

The Chairperson then speaks for all leadership associates when he says he understands that the UBPA has given us a mandate in terms of the constitution and the program of action for 2008, which can be revoked at anytime if the UBPA is convinced that we are failing and thus not executing the said mandate diligently and purposefully. As the newly elected leadership we shall stand together in unity at all times as divisions amongst us will result in us failing to execute the mandate given to us. We shall be leading a group of dedicated associates who are also united in common cause with us and who shall rebuke us where necessary and support us at all times.

None of us will ever be greater than the other, and none of us will be bigger than UBPA. As the leadership we shall protect our constitution and remain loyal to the good name of UBPA never to shame it or put it into disrepute. We all understand that our own personal interests will not only frustrate progress in UBPA but will also be contrary to our objectives as UBPA, and as such none of us is driven by greed and the wish of failure to any of our associate. Section 6 of our constitution will always be relevant in this regard. In the words of Kennedy the UBPA is not here to ask what can uThaka do for its people, but here to ask what can it do for uThaka and her people. UBPA lives, UBPA survives, UBPA leads, phambili with business unusual all hands on deck as we march forward and accelerate the realization of our goals at Uthaka.

Note: The meeting was chaired by Thulani in accordance with the agenda that dissolved the organization as it then was at Uthaka playing fields on the 28th of December 2007. The feeling was that particular agenda was not concluded. The agenda as it was on the 28th of December 2007, was adopted and recognized by all present. As is custom the usual protocols were observed and agreed upon. The Chair then welcomed all present and thanked one dedicated member Ms Khumalo who came from a distance far than all of us to grace us with her presence in that meeting. In the chairperson’s subjective view, Ms Khumalo had understood the concept that the benefit for the greater majority often came at a huge price of personal sacrifice. All members were active participants and the meeting itself was alive with passion and the need to succeed. It can today be reported that our distant traveler who was elected to the position of Treasurer General /Organiser and Co head of the portfolio of Education had a safe journey back. This is not to downplay the role played by Mr Mlambo and the whole of the UJ crew in hosting such a successful meeting. Thank you associates may you keep up the industrious labor you do.