Gauteng food bank plan sparks debate over centralised distribution

The Department of Social Development has maintained that centralising the food bank will improve coordination and reduce duplication.

Last month, the department officially launched the food bank centre in Centurion.

Head of Department Phumla Sekhonyane said the food storage facility is the first of its kind in the country. She explained that the department is shifting away from the traditional approach of outsourcing or partnering with non-profit organisations (NPOs) for food distribution.

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“The usual model for food distribution involves outsourcing or using non-profit organisations, but the Gauteng provincial government gave us a directive, as the Department of Social Development, to establish a state-run food distribution centre,” she said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has raised serious concerns over the centralisation of food parcel distribution.

“The MEC should never have taken away food parcel distribution from NPOs. NPOs are closest to our communities and have been serving them for years.

They provide food parcels, psychosocial services, and homework support to vulnerable children,” said Refiloe Ntšekhe, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development.

She added that the MEC must reverse the decision.

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Ntšekhe further argued that a central food bank that has not even been properly costed for distribution is not a viable solution.

“NPOs, being close to communities, can respond faster to local needs and disasters. In addition, centralising food banks will harm local suppliers and cost jobs, as these suppliers previously provided ingredients to NPOs. There is also concern about how the system will distinguish between different categories of beneficiaries, such as HIV recipients and those facing economic hardship,” she said.

Furthermore, the DA has raised serious concerns about what it describes as a lack of transparency and poor communication by the provincial government, warning that delays in funding non-profit organisations are placing vulnerable residents at significant risk.

According to Ntšekhe, uncertainty surrounding the adjudication process for NPO funding has created widespread anxiety across the sector. She attributes this to what she describes as the Premier’s administration’s failure to communicate clearly and consistently with organisations that provide critical social services.

Ntšekhe said numerous NPOs across the province have approached the DA with complaints about the department’s handling of funding applications. At the centre of the issue is the adjudication and contracting process, which many organisations claim has been marred by inconsistency, lack of feedback, and prolonged delays.

“The lack of communication has left many organisations in the dark about whether their applications have been successful. This uncertainty is not just administrative; it directly impacts the ability of NPOs to plan, operate, and continue delivering essential services,” she said.

A major concern is that many NPOs have yet to sign their Service Level Agreements (SLAs), a critical step required before funding can be disbursed. Without these agreements in place, organisations fear they may not receive subsidies on time, which could threaten their sustainability.

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This is not the first time such delays have been flagged. Ntšekhe pointed out that in previous years, similar challenges led to some NPOs shutting down, leaving vulnerable communities without access to vital services such as shelters, food relief, and social support programmes.

“The department appears not to have learned from past mistakes. Delays in funding have real-life consequences, with the poorest and most vulnerable residents bearing the brunt,” she said.

The DA has committed to engaging with both the Head of Department and the MEC for Social Development to determine the root causes of the delays and to push for urgent intervention. The party says resolving the issue is critical to ensuring that subsidies are paid on time and that service delivery is not disrupted.

“NPOs play a vital role in supporting Gauteng’s most at-risk populations, often acting as frontline providers of care for the homeless, children, the elderly, and victims of abuse. Many of these organisations rely heavily on government funding to sustain their operations,” Ntšekhe said.

An enquiry was sent to the department, but no comment was received by the time of print.