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Breaking news – Gauteng Premier and MEC in crucial meeting to save NPOs from funding cuts!
The Gauteng Premier met local NPOs about discontinued funding. The meeting was on 4 May, and the MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, also attended. The discussion followed the premier’s commitment to engaging the sector regarding the department’s priorities and NPO funding for the upcoming financial year.
NPOs across communities have voiced their concerns regarding budget cuts, with some organisations like Germiston Child Welfare and Child Welfare SA-Edenvale and Bedfordview facing dire straits. The operating cost of the Edenvale and Bedfordview branches alone is approximately R150 000 per month, and the department has cut funding for rent, electricity, water, and transport for social workers.
During the meeting, Lesufi reiterated the importance of NPOs as key care economy enablers for the most vulnerable members of society, including the elderly, children, persons with disabilities, and people experiencing poverty. Some of the resolutions from the engagement include reinstating the budget for approved and compliant NPOs for the 2023/24 financial year and reinstating staff affected by budget reprioritisation.
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Lesufi indicated that he would convene an urgent meeting with the provincial budget committee to address the funding of high priorities so that the NPO budget could be allocated to approved and compliant NPOs, as this was the root of the problem. Furthermore, following complaints and allegations of corruption, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will conduct an audit to investigate internal processes and whether the department receives value for money from the R2.3 billion allocation to the sector.
Hlophe also announced that the government would convene a social sector summit to discuss issues affecting the department and NPOs. In addition, the provincial government committed to signing all service-level agreements by 15 May, and NPOs are requested to work with the department to ensure finalisation.
The meeting with NPOs demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society and ensuring that NPOs receive the necessary funding to provide essential services to their communities.
Source: Gauteng premier meets local NPOs about discontinued funding
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Picture: Twitter / TokoMasemola
