Blue Wings Association for Adults with Disabilities is appealing to local businesses and the community for financial assistance after the City of Ekurhuleni proposed increasing rent on its Alberton premises from R150 a year to about R5 628 a month, including VAT.

The non-profit organisation, which has operated from the property for 25 years, fears the higher rent will further strain its limited budget and threaten its ability to continue supporting about 30 adults with disabilities.

Chairperson Sharon Roberts said the organisation had occupied the municipal property for 25 years, during which it invested in repairs and improvements to make the premises suitable for its operations.

“When we moved in, it was a dump. Everything was broken and nothing worked,” Roberts said.

According to Roberts, the municipality had advised the organisation when it took occupation that it would not undertake improvements or repairs, but that the association could do the work at its own expense, provided it did not alter the buildings’ structures.

Over the years, Blue Wings relied on community donations to improve and maintain the premises. Roberts estimates that the work undertaken amounts to approximately R800 000.

The improvements include roof repairs, plumbing and electrical work, bathroom renovations, replacing broken windows and ceilings, installing security systems, paving and landscaping.

However, following a property valuation conducted in March 2025, the organisation received a new rental proposal from the municipality in April this year.

The city’s April 16 letter listed a market-related rental of R18 768 a month, including VAT. The municipality subsequently granted a 70% discount, with its letter recording the discounted rental as R4 896 a month, excluding VAT.

Roberts said the proposed rental would be about R5 600 a month, including VAT, or more than R67 000 a year.

The new lease also requires a deposit equivalent to two months’ rent and an administrative fee of R1 420.71. Roberts estimated the initial financial outlay, including the first month’s rent, at approximately R20 000.

The proposed lease runs for nine years and 11 months and includes a cumulative annual rental escalation of 10%, which the organisation fears will become increasingly unaffordable.

Negotiations reach a dead end

Blue Wings has made several attempts to negotiate more affordable terms with the municipality.

In a letter dated April 23, the organisation questioned the proposed increase, arguing that the previous nominal rental reflected its non-profit status and the poor condition of the property when it took occupation.

The association appealed for its lease to be renewed at a nominal rental, pointing to the improvements it had funded over the years and the financial difficulties facing the organisation.

In a subsequent letter dated June 26, Blue Wings requested a meeting with the head of the Development Planning and Real Estate Department after receiving no response to its April correspondence.

The organisation asked the municipality to consider its investment in the property, waive the two-month rental deposit, reduce the annual escalation and grant the maximum permitted rental discount.

In a response dated July 13, the municipality explained that the previous rental of R150 a year was not compliant with its current legislation and policies.

The city cited its Immovable Property Lease Management Policy, which provides for market-related rentals unless poverty or other public-interest considerations justify an exception.

The municipality also explained that its policy framework allows the head of department to grant qualifying public-benefit organisations and non-governmental organisations discounts of up to 90% of the calculated market-related rental.

According to the July letter, the department requested the maximum allowable discount, but approved the reduction at 70%.
The municipality said the department could not waive the rental entirely or retain the previous nominal amount.

It advised the association to contact the head of department’s personal assistant directly to request a meeting.

Alternatively, the department could submit a further request to reconsider the discount, up to the maximum permitted reduction of 90%.

Roberts said the association had continued to pursue negotiations, including requesting a higher discount and reconsideration of the deposit and annual escalation, but had not secured the relief it sought.

She also expressed concern that the organisation would have to maintain the property at its own expense under the proposed lease.

The April 16 letter states that the lessee must maintain the property, including keeping the premises clean and cutting grass and vegetation.

It also makes the organisation responsible for municipal charges for electricity, water, sewerage, and refuse removal.

Roberts said the association had historically paid for repairs, including roof leaks, blocked drains and electrical problems, which she believed should have been the landlord’s responsibility.

She fears the organisation will face higher rental costs while continuing to fund repairs and maintenance.

Increased costs threaten services

Blue Wings currently supports about 30 adults with disabilities. Roberts said the organisation grew from about 14 beneficiaries after the Covid-19 pandemic and received permission to expand further.

However, many beneficiaries cannot afford their fees or even the transport costs required to attend the centre.

According to centre manager Lucky Modiko, the organisation receives R40 000 per quarter in government funding through the Department of Social Development.

He said the proposed rental would consume a significant portion of this funding, leaving fewer resources available for its beneficiaries.

“If the municipality is expecting us to pay almost R5 600 a month, you subtract that from the R40 000 we are getting in three months. Really, this place will close off. We have to shut the doors,” he said.

Despite these concerns, Roberts said the association was determined to continue operating.

Relocating would also be difficult because of the costs and the challenge of establishing its services elsewhere after 25 years of developing the premises.

The proposed 10% annual escalation is another concern, with Roberts warning that cumulative increases could make the rent unsustainable in the coming years.

Appeal for community support

After unsuccessful attempts to negotiate more affordable terms, Blue Wings is appealing to businesses and residents for financial assistance and sponsorships.

Roberts said the organisation had limited fundraising capacity because of its small committee and the financial circumstances of many beneficiaries’ families.

The association conducts fundraising activities, including raffles and other initiatives, but cannot continually rely on parents who are already struggling to pay fees.

Blue Wings is also seeking new committee members, particularly someone to help with fundraising and securing sponsorships. It urgently needs a committee secretary to take minutes at its monthly meetings.

Roberts said greater public awareness and support were essential to help the organisation remain sustainable.

“We’re doing such a vital service here,” she said.

The organisation hopes local businesses and residents will help it meet increased rental obligations and continue providing care and opportunities for adults with disabilities in Alberton.

Businesses and individuals who want to donate can contact Sharon Roberts at 079 086 9836 or Lucky Modiko at 071 141 6416.

City yet to comment

The Alberton Record has approached the City of Ekurhuleni for further comment on the rental decision, the maintenance concerns and whether the proposed lease terms may be reconsidered. No response had been received at the time of publication.