Joburg NPOs updated on new funding system and food relief plan
Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko met with Johannesburg-based NPOs to explain the new online funding application system, upcoming food voucher rollout, and reforms aimed at streamlining the application process.
On August 5, Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, announced that the Gauteng Department of Social Development is engaging major retail chains to phase out food parcels in favour of food vouchers for beneficiaries.
As part of this initiative, a mandatory workshop was held at the Orlando Community Hall to raise awareness among NPOs operating in the Johannesburg region (Central Corridor).
NPOs representing key factors, such as children’s services, older persons, victim empowerment and substance abuse, attended.
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The aim was to familiarise NPOs with the department’s online application system for funding and address challenges in the application process.
Speaking at the workshop, Mazibuko said the transition to food vouchers would give beneficiaries the dignity of choice.
“This is so that our beneficiaries can have choices on the foods they need, rather than repeatedly receiving the same items,” she explained.
Mazibuko indicated that the department is in discussions with the National Department of Social Development to delegate certain NPO-related functions to the provincial level.
“This effort is meant to eliminate the human element in funding applications, avoid long queues and missing information, and reduce the current 30-page process into a simplified and user-friendly system,” she said.
During the workshop session, Tebello Mkhonto, the chief director of social welfare and specialist services at the Department of Social Development, detailed the requirements for registering as an NPO.
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“You must register as an NPO to establish your legal identity. You must comply with all the provisions of the NPO Act, be a legal entity and submit annual reports,” she said.
Mkhonto emphasised the importance of maintaining legal identity, ensuring compliance with municipal regulations, adhering to programme-related requirements and having well-documented policies in place.
The department’s call for proposals will run from August 18 to September 24, inviting compliant NPOs to apply for funding for the 2026/2027 financial year.
