Welfare bodies see funding cut
The Department of Social Development said it has received over 1 732 applications, collectively tallying more than R11.4b, in financial requests, an amount far higher than the GDSD’s budget of R5.5b.
The Greater Benoni Child Welfare revealed that the organisation’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) funding allocation has been slashed by two-thirds, impacting its ability to support families in need.
According to Vanessa Carelse, the director of the Greater Benoni Child Welfare, it still cannot help new beneficiaries seeking crucial services because of a severe reduction in funding.
“Despite many efforts to mitigate the financial strain, including reaching out to the Department of Social Development (DSD) for a meeting to discuss the situation, it has yet to be scheduled. The organisation awaits a response from the DSD to address this critical issue.”
Carelse said in response to the funding shortfall, Greater Benoni Child Welfare staff have agreed to a significant sacrifice, with a voluntary 70% reduction in salaries for May, pending the outcome of the meeting with the DSD.
The organisation has implemented operational changes to adapt to the new financial reality.
Social worker staff will alternate days in the office, and the Benoni and Daveyton offices will operate from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 to 16:00, with Fridays closed to the public.
“Without immediate intervention and support from the DSD, the Greater Benoni Child Welfare faces the risk of scaling back its operations, impacting the lives of those who depend on its services the most.”
To support the Greater Benoni Child Welfare, call Carelse on 011 849 5241.
Actonville Child Welfare
Actonville Child and Family Welfare Society is also disappointed by new developments.
According to the society’s Yussuf Bhayat, they signed the SLA but under conflicting clauses.
He said they had reached out to the DSD to try to resolve the issue.
“In the meantime, we are working on a shift roster where our staff work two to three days. We don’t know where this month’s staff salaries will come from because the funds haven’t been allocated,” said Bhayat.
To contribute to the sustainability of the Actonville Child and Family Welfare Society, call it on 011 421 4879.
According to Themba Gadebe, the spokesperson for the MEC of the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), they received over 1 732 applications, collectively tallying more than R11.4b in financial requests, an amount far higher than the GDSD’s budget of R5.5b.
“Panellists had a gruelling task to stretch the budget far and wide in response to the needs presented by NPOs while realistically remaining within the confines of the budget available because it is impractical to fund the entire R11.4b,” Gadebe said.
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