Gauteng NPOs struggle as social development cuts funding, says DA

Non-profit organisations (NPOs) providing vital services to vulnerable children across Gauteng are struggling to stay afloat due to funding cuts and delays by the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD).

According to the Democratic Alliance’s Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, children in need are bearing the brunt of these failures.

Sharp decline in support for NPOs

Nt’sekhe said the department has consistently reduced the number of NPOs it funds.

“In the 2021/22 financial year, the department was funding 2 856 NPOs, 2022/23 – 1 837, 2023/24 – 1 464, and about 1 328 in the 2024/25 financial year,” she stated.

One of the affected organisations is a foundation in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, which caters for children and operates feeding schemes.

With funding either delayed or completely withdrawn, operations have been severely impacted.

Despite the increasing need for child protection services, the department has returned significant sums to the provincial treasury.

“In 2023/24, GDSD returned R554 million, and the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year already indicates R102 million returned,” Nt’sekhe said.

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‘No sympathy for social needs’

As South Africa observes Child Protection Week, Nt’sekhe has called for greater accountability from MEC Faith Mazibuko.

“Delays in the signing of Service Level Agreements and disbursing funds demonstrate her department’s incompetence and a lack of sympathy towards the province’s social needs and the well-being of its most vulnerable children,” she said.

She added that Mazibuko could no longer blame her predecessor and urged her to effect urgent changes within the department.

“This Child Protection Week, we must demand transparency and clear timelines on the disbursement of funds to NPOs.”

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Constitutional rights under threat

Citing Section 27 of the Constitution, Nt’sekhe said the state has a legal obligation to ensure that citizens, especially children, have access to food, healthcare, and social security.

“Without adequate funding for NPOs, the chances of abandoned children surviving and thriving diminish significantly,” she warned.

The GDSD had not yet responded to The Citizen at the time of publishing.

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