UPDATE: Gauteng government to reinstate budget for NPOs

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, met with non-profit organisations (NPOs) on May 4.

The meeting followed a commitment by Lesufi to meet and engage the sector regarding the department’s elevated priorities and NPO funding for the 2023/24 financial year.

During his engagement with the NPOs, Lesufi reiterated their importance as a key care economy enabler for the most vulnerable members of society, which includes children, the elderly, persons with disability and the poor.

Some of the resolutions from the meeting include the reinstatement of the budget for compliant and approved NPOs for the 2023/24 financial year and the reinstatement of staff affected by budget reprioritisation.

Lesufi indicated that he would call an urgent meeting with the Provincial Budget Committee (PBC) to deal with the funding of the elevated priorities. This would allow the NPO budget to be allocated to approved and compliant NPOs because this was the root of the problem.

Following the many complaints and allegations of corruption, the Department of Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment will do an audit to investigate the organisation’s internal processes and whether the department is receiving its value for money from the R2.3b allocation to the sector.

Meanwhile, Hlophe said the government would convene a Social Sector Summit to engage further on the issues affecting the department and the NPOs.

“We commit to signing all the Service Level Agreements by May 15, and NPOs are requested to work with the department in ensuring finalisation,” said Hlophe.

Also Read: UPDATE: Gauteng govt rubbishes NPOs budget cuts claims

Also Read: WATCH: Local NPOs intensify protest outside DSD offices