Council does not donate stands
Govan Mbeki Municipality says the donation to Isiphephelo Multi Purpose Centre was dealt with on its own merit.
eMBALENHLE – Govan Mbeki Municipality said it does not donate stands to non-profit organisations.
Several members of local crèches, home-based care centres and organisations that deal with orphans and people living with disability and the elderly, approached the Ridge Times through its Aid2Kids Project requesting help to find sponsors.
These organisations run their projects on leased stands, from RDP houses, from residential stands and from rented churches.
They said these have limited their opportunities of getting sponsors from companies that want to build centres, because they do not have permanent stands.
Mr Henry Masango, head of Marketing and Communications of the municipality, said they receive many applications from non-profit organisations that want stands.
“Stands are put on tender in terms of the municipality’s land alienation policy for residents to take part in order to be fair in the allocation of stands.
“A tender notice is advertised in all local newspapers, on municipal building notice boards, as well as on the website should stands become available.”
Mr Masango was asked why the municipality donated a stand to the Isiphephelo Multi Purpose Centre in Extension 21 in 2012, because it is a non-profit organisation.
The centre was operating from a house on the Rietkuil Farm that was leased by Sasol.
The members were approached by Sasol in 2009 and were informed that they should look for an alternative place as the company was planning to expand its production.
Mr Masango said the members submitted an application requesting for the donation of a stand.
“They were informed that the municipality does not donate stands, but could sell the property to Isiphepho as per the municipal valuated certificate.
“Several meetings were held during which it came to light that a sponsor has been solicited to finance the construction of the centre, on condition that the land was donated to the centre and would revert back to the municipality should the centre cease to exist.”
Mr Masango said Council was asked to consider the donation of the stand and it was decided at its meeting on 30 May 2012 to donate a portion of Stand Number 23146 subject to certain conditions.
“The Isiphepho matter was dealt with on its own merit.”
Ms Ntombikayise Masala, manager of Isphephelo, advised members of non-profit organisations to join their forum that represents more than 20 organisations in the municipal area to get ideas and information from one another about the running of their centres.
