NPOs wait in anticipation amidst Jo’burg High Court ruling

NPOs in Springs should be rejoicing after signing their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) earlier this month but worry persists.

The series of unfortunate events that surround the funding of the NPOs took a new turn as representatives of organisations across the province took the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) to court on May 22.

This is after countless efforts, which included picketing outside their offices on May 17, were fruitless.

The Johannesburg High Court ruled that organisations must receive their funding within seven days of the agreements being concluded.

Programme manager for the Springs and Kwa-Thema Welfare Society, Sanet van Moerkerken, says despite the ruling, they are still not hopeful that they will receive their funding as promised.

Manager of the Springs Senior Citizens Club, Pauline Houghton, says they too have not received any funding.

“Our SLA was signed two weeks ago and even before that we had to develop a contingency plan until we receive the funding. We have been dipping into savings to keep things afloat.”

The situation has led many organisations, including the citizens’ club, to consider cutting back on their services to cover basic costs such as salaries.

“At this point we are considering reducing the days where we will be open, limiting meals and activities.”

Pauline said even though it wasn’t as much of a shock as last year when they were told there was no funding available at all, it still is a scary situation to be in.

“Many rumours are going around that are making us all uncomfortable. At this rate, we pray for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Adding to the financial woes, Aileen Langley, the director of Epilepsy Geduld, lamented that for the first time, they anticipate their debit orders will lapse.

“We won’t be able to afford food, as our accounts have been frozen, and we have already received notice that electricity will be cut,” said Langley.

“Our staff won’t receive their full salaries for the second month in a row.”

The situation has led to the centre not having enough staff.

“We’ve experienced a resident attacking another resident, a direct consequence of the staffing shortage. It hinders our ability to prevent or manage such incidents.”

The Vita Nova Centre is another one of the NPOs adversely affected.