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Struggling social services and homes amid funding cuts
A budget reconfiguration by the Gauteng Department of Social Development has impacted many non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Brakpan. The department held a meeting on April 5 at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg to inform stakeholders of the changes in funding, which would be redirected from current NPO programmes to programmes providing support for substance abuse, homelessness, and food programmes as reported by Brakpan Herald.
Mbali Hlophe, Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, communicated the change in the budget to stakeholders. The changes came into effect on April 1. However, many NPOs claim they received proper communication or consultation after the decision was made.
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Several NPOs in Brakpan are already facing issues with budget cuts, including feeding schemes, service centres, children’s homes and especially nursing homes. The Eventide Old Age Home is one such home facing maintenance issues and lacking funding. The home requires food for 32 elderly residents, many SASSA pensioners. Others are under the care of family members who cannot contribute to their care.
In addition to monetary donations, the home needs food such as mielie meal, oats, porridge, sugar, coffee, tea, baked beans, pasta, cleaning products, dish sponges, refuse bags, washing powder, soups and cake flour.
Selma Jordaan, the senior housekeeper, encourages people to help any NPOs in Brakpan in any way they can, whether through monetary or food donations. For monetary donations, Selma may be contacted on 082 213 4173. Lorna van Niekerk, the Eric Holdtman Service Centre chairperson, may be contacted on 083 447 5868. The centre desperately needs vegetable and meat donations to support the elderly at the Tweedy Park Old Age Home.
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Photo: Facebook / @Gauteng Department of Social Development
