Gauteng premier meets local NPOs about discontinued funding

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, on May 4, met with NPOs.

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

Since last month NPOs across communities have voiced their concerns regarding budget cuts.

Germiston Child Welfare and Child Welfare SA-Edenvale and Bedfordview have in the meantime found themselves in dire straits.

Director of the Germiston Child Welfare Barbara Bouwer said they have been serving the community for nearly 111 years, and the danger of having to curtail, restrict, or possibly shut down services is heartbreaking.

Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart, also a committee member of Child Welfare SA – Edenvale and Bedfordview, described it as an irresponsible decision taken by the government.

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“I don’t want to minimise it, but it is going to make Life Esidimeni look minor in comparison,” said Hart.

Operating the Edenvale and Bedfordview branch costs approximately R150 000 per month.

Office administrator Jenny Kennedy said previously the Gauteng Department of Social Development would only meet 75% towards salaries of the social workers.

“Nothing was paid towards rent, electricity, water or transport for the social workers. From 75% it has been cut to 39%.”

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

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Some of the resolutions that emanate from the engagement include the reinstatement of the budget for complaint and approved NPOs for the 2023/24 financial year and the reinstatement of staff that were affected by budget reprioritisation.

Lesufi indicated that he will call an urgent meeting with the provincial budget committee to deal with the funding of the elevated priorities so the NPO budget can be allocated to approved and compliant NPOs, as this was the root of the problem.

Following the number of complaints and allegations of corruption, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will institute an audit to investigate both departments’ internal processes and whether the department is receiving its value for money from the R2.3b allocation to the sector.

“Government will convene a social sector summit to engage further on issues affecting both the department and the NPOs,” said Hlophe.

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“As the provincial government, we commit to signing all the service level agreements by May 15 and NPOs are requested to work together with the department in ensuring finalisation,” said Hlophe.