ABOUT US
The Johannesburg Institute of Social Services (JISS) is a child and family welfare institute that extends services to individuals, families and communities across the demographics of South Africa.
We operate from the JISS Centres in Mayfair and Lenasia. We are the primary welfare organisation in these areas dealing with child neglect, child abuse and family problems affecting children.
• Risk assessment of children in need of care and protection;
• Child Placement Services in temporary safe care, foster care and Children’s Homes;
• Foster care screening, placement and supervision;
• Family Reunification Services;
• Referral with regard to application for identity documents and social grants;
• Child abuse awareness and prevention programmes;
• KINGA WATOTO volunteer programme focusing on orphaned and vulnerable children;
• Senior Citizens’ Luncheon Clubs.
OUR HISTORY...
How we got to where we are today
• JISWA was registered on the 13 August 1934 in accordance with the Charitable Institutions (Control) Ordinance 1926. Herman Kallenbach was appointed the first chairman of JISWA.
• At its inception, JISWA consisted of three pillars: health, welfare and educational services, and it aimed to serve all sections of the Indian community, irrespective of class, creed, religion, language or politics.
• JISWA’s operations were reviewed and in 1963 a revised constitution was put in place. This formed the basis for JISWA’s work in the decade that followed, and set the scene for change and new initiatives.
• Over time JISWA’s concerns progressively narrowed from a general approach - which embraced all spheres of the population’s welfare - to specific aspects of health, welfare and education.
• JISWA’s work became more defined around certain projects and services and people from all social, economic, and educational spheres began taking an interest in its work.
• In 1973, Essop S.Bhana, an astute businessman dedicated to community services, was appointed chairman. It was under his leadership that JISWA felt the impact of a new and more vigorous attitude to fund-raising. Essop Bhana has been involved with the association for more than 40 years, has served as chairman three times, and is currently vice chairman of JISS.
• The doors of the JISWA community centre in Suikerbos Street Lenasia were opened in 1978. However; it was the struggle for more than a decade even more than the complete project that speaks of JISWA’s perseverance and determination in realising a dream.
• JISWA’s work grew in depth and dimension under Cassim Saloojee’s direction, going beyond local relevance. The organisation began to make a positive contribution to issues of national importance.
• A strong community interest in JISWA’s activities gave the leadership the confidence to develop a comprehensive welfare service. Dr.Essop Jassat was now chairman of JISWA and he continued in the role until the establishment of a new democratic South Africa in 1994 when he was elected to Parliament. Cassim Saloojee’s lengthy tenure as JISWA Director also ended when he, too, was elected to Parliament.
GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS SERVED...
JISS-MAYFAIR
• Mayfair
• Homestead Park
• Mayfair West
• Crosby
• Slovo Park
• Brixton
• Pageview
• Vrededorp
JISS-MAYFAIR
• Vredepark
• Jan Hofmeyer
• Fordsburg
• Crown Mines
• Newtown
• Langlaagte
• Amalgam
JISS-LENASIA
• Lenasia (Extension 1-13)
• Lawley
• Lawley Plot
• Lawley Station
NETWORKING PARTNERS
