Scope's Herstory

Scope /skəʊp/

noun: scope

the extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.

"widening the scope for diverse and inclusive environments."

synonyms: extent, range, breadth, width, reach, sweep, purview, span, stretch, spread, horizon; more

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Scope was established in 2017 by C. Anzio Jacobs and Genevieve Louw to continue the educational projects that have historically been run by GALA, formerly the Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action. The project arose from a need for deliberate interactions with LGBTQIA+ communities who have historically struggled to access resources and support due to their geo-locations. 

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Jacobs has been instrumental in the founding of several LGBTQIA+ projects, including a university endorsed student pride parade, the Safe Zones Project at Wits (now being rolled out at other universities in South Africa), the Kaleidoscope Youth Network in South Africa and the GALA Youth Forum at the Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA).  They worked in the Transformation and Employment Equity Office of the University of the Witwatersrand and monitored and evaluated the Safe Zones Project in San Diego. They have published work on the Safe Zones concept concerning students, and this year contributed a chapter to the #FeesMustFall book titled Rioting and Writing. Jacobs is currently working with black LGBTQIA+ youth from rural and peri-urban areas affected largely by their socio-economic status and aims to shed light on narratives such as these through their work using their facilitation and training skills to affect change around issues of gender identity and sexual orientation. 

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Louw’s practise has been geared towards LGBTQIA+ activism within school spaces; they use a creative methodology to engage with learners and school management teams around gender and sexual orientation. Their work addresses the urgency to educate South African youth in school spaces on the complexities of gender, sexual orientation and diversity to attempt the debunking of myths and to prevent further discrimination. 

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Louw also facilitates sensitivity training in various environments, including corporate and government institutions, around the broader theme of diversity to impact organisational dynamics, social development and change. Scope aims to provide support in various ways, inclusive of education. We provide sensitivity training and materials that Scope may use in schools and community-based projects at large– inclusive of teachers, learners, and community members. Scope identified a need in rural and peri-urban areas, often neglected because there is a lack of capacity in the sector to work in these underdeveloped communities. Scope through the educational focus aims to build partnerships with organisations that will share their expertise to ensure a comprehensive guide in educational workshops to empower LGBTQIA+ people and their allies in these areas.

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Through facilitated workshops, which encourage a participatory approach to learning and un-learning. Scope envisions facilitated dialogues, round table discussions, information-based workshops and arts-based activities as part of a change process. Jacobs and Louw are both experienced facilitators with backgrounds in gender identity and sexual orientation. They have worked extensively with youth from various backgrounds in different parts of the country and the corporate and government space. Their workshops are tailored to the needs of participants on a case-by-case basis to engage issues of diversity in inter-sectional communities comprehensively.

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Scope provides comprehensive training through a short course service offering which is aimed at corporate and civil society with other trainers in mind, or for those who, through their work, may engage the LGBTQIA+ community. 

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By the first quarter of 2018, Scope became a formally registered NPO under the Nonprofit Organisation Act of 1997, vetted by the Department of Social Development. Scope is a level 1 BBBEE organisation. Our board oversees all activities and plays a crucial checks and balances role. Scope keeps audited financials that come under review by an independent consultant to ensure that our financial governance is sound. 

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Scope is a registered NPO and holds a BBBEE level 1 rating. In addition, we are registered with SARS and are tax compliant.