The Actonville Child and Family Welfare Society (ACFWS) continues to serve vulnerable families and children despite mounting financial pressures and growing caseloads, but the organisation’s most pressing need is new members.

This was highlighted by chairperson Mohamed Hoosain Sirkhot during the organisation’s 37th AGM, held at the ACFWS office in Actonville on September 16.

“We desperately need new members to come on board to keep this organisation alive,” said Sirkhot in his chairperson’s address.

He highlighted that the organisation has not received an increase in subsidies since 2022, resulting in staff members receiving no salary increases.

“Caseloads are ever on the increase and there is no improvement in the socio-economic conditions. We are told that many recipients of social grants are squandering their money on gambling,” he said.

Despite the financial and operational challenges, Sirkhot said the organisation continued to provide essential services to vulnerable communities in Actonville, Wattville and Kingsway, thanks to the dedication of its social workers and management team.

“Our day-to-day challenges remain. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming, but when an abandoned baby or an abused child is rescued, it makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

“The smooth running of the organisation is due to the resilience of our senior social worker, Haneefa Chitimbe, and her team of dedicated social workers and auxiliary social workers.”

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Sirkhot also acknowledged the efforts of the management team and administrator Yussuf Bhayat.

“The hard work put in by our management team and our administrator, Yussuf Bhayat, has not gone unnoticed. As the chairperson of this organisation, I’m blessed to be surrounded by these dedicated individuals,” he said.

He paid tribute to late founding member Dr ME Bawa and social worker Grace Mmola, saying they would both be sorely missed.

Sirkhot also thanked the organisation’s donors and supporters, including the Benoni Muslim Charitable Organisation, for their unwavering support.

In her chief social worker’s report, Chitimbe said the ACFWS continued to provide statutory child protection social work services to children and families requiring intervention during the past year.

She said the organisation had also responded to changing priorities in the social development sector, particularly the growing emphasis on prevention, early intervention and awareness programmes.

“This shift provided an opportunity for the organisation to strengthen its preventative role within the community, rather than responding only when families and children are already experiencing serious difficulties,” she said.

Chitimbe added that greater emphasis had been placed on equipping families, parents, learners and community members with information and resources to help them make informed decisions and access appropriate support at an early stage.

However, she identified several challenges facing the organisation, including a shortage of social workers, increasing caseloads, growing social problems, funding constraints and changing funding priorities.

“As we reflect on the past year, it is clear that the social challenges facing our communities remain significant. However, our organisation has also demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing needs and priorities,” she said.

Finances

Treasurer Abdul Mayet reported a slight decline in the organisation’s total comprehensive income, which fell from R2 457 764 to R2 413 972.

The organisation’s income was derived from donations, grants and subsidies, while total expenditure, which included transport, salaries and municipal charges, among other costs, increased slightly from R2 432 459 to R2 435 613.

Also Read: Actonville welfare remains positive despite challenging year