NGOs demand answers from Department of Social Development
During a Heidelberg Nigel Heraut visit to the offices on 12th Street, a notice was found on the gate, stating the office was closed until further notice.
Representatives of NGOs picketed outside the Department of Social Development in Springs on Wednesday, demanding the criteria for non-compliance of NGOs affected by the financial support from the department.
They responded to the call of the MEC of Social Development Mbali Hlophe who, during a meeting with NGOs held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand on April 5, stated the department will be re-structuring and re-prioritising funds.
The department is targeting non-compliant NGOs. This would be implemented immediately. On Thursday morning, the offices of the Springs and Kwa-Thema Child Welfare Society remained closed.
During a Springs Advertiser visit to the offices on 12th Street, a notice was found on the gate, stating the office was closed until further notice.
They requested all queries to be directed to the Department of Social Development at 16 3rd Street, Springs.
Sizakele Madela from the Kopano Disability Movement Centre in Kwa-Thema said the financial cut does not affect them, but they are seeking funding from external funders and sponsorships for the day-to-day running of the centre.
Tsakani Old Age Home’s centre manager Phooko Mokobung said the home is also not affected and will remain functional. The centre management confirmed that they too are not affected.
“Though funding has been reduced over the years we also depend on external sponsors to supplement the funding. As part of the memorandum of understanding between the NGO and department, they agreed that we need to seek funding to supplement their funding,” he added.
Hlophe refuted claims the budget for NPOs has been cut, citing that the budget of R2.3b allocated to NPOs remains.
“Residential care services to older persons, child and youth care centres, shelters for women and those with disabilities will remain funded accordingly.
“As per the legislative mandate, the services to the vulnerable will continue to be provided by both the department and NPOs,” she explained.
Hlophe added that in October 2022, following the election of Premier Panyaza Lesufi, he restructured the Gauteng Provincial Government.
This resulted in certain departments being grouped and, subsequently, the executive council responding to the identified priorities by the premier.
They paired the Gauteng Department of Social Development with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The new department has the following elevated priorities, over and above their legislative work as outlined in the annual performance plans:
• A heightened fight against substance abuse.
• Drastically reducing homelessness.
• War on poverty through improving food security.
• Welfare to work programmes through accelerated skills development.
• Promotion of environmental sustainability.
