NPOs are at the mercy of the State

It now seems NPOs are in for another funding battle as they wait yet again to hear of their fates. Last year saw organisations fearing closure as the Department of Social Development (DSD) said they would cut all funding.
Later, the DSD renewed the funding, and life returned to normal.

This year sees yet more panic as the programme manager for Springs and Kwa-Thema Welfare Society, Sanet van Moerkeken, explains the dire situation and what it could mean for them.

“In November, we were given two weeks to submit documents the department said it needed for us to get funding for another year.”

These documents included a business plan, proof of signatories from their bank, the identities of their board of directors and police clearance certificates, among others.

Sanet said they were told that a panel would be appointed to assess the validity of their documentation, but they have been waiting ever since.

“Our cut-off date for the submissions was November 20, and since then, there has been silence.”

Sanet says she cannot speak for the other organisations, but in the NPO group chats, it is said that nobody has seen or signed the new Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for 2024.

“This creates worry because you can’t get the funds without signing the agreement.”

She further adds that this contributes immensely to the worries of not just herself but her employees.

“We don’t have money left because we have begun digging into our savings, and the social workers I employ have families to feed. They do so much, and to be treated like this makes them feel devalued and unmotivated.”

While this is happening, Sanet says the organisation can’t take in any new cases.

“We have about 900 active cases, and can only do so much. We have also been instructed not to take any new cases until the issue is resolved or there is some answer given to us.”

She says all cases henceforth will have to be referred to the DSD because it’s out of their hands. The Springs and Kwa-Thema Welfare offices will only open twice a week.

“Residents should not think we do not want to work; we are just trying to save on resources.”

This is a personal matter for Sanet as she has been a social worker for a long time.

“I have been in the service for 33 years, and this organisation has been running for 110 years. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a social worker.”

She laments the domino effect this could cause if they don’t receive their funding.

“We work with children, adults and the elderly. There is too much silence, and people’s lives are at stake. I didn’t want to say anything, but it is time the community is made aware.”

Springs and Kwa-Thema Welfare Society will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 08:00 to 16:00.

For information on how to donate to the organisation, email Sanet on cwsasprings@gmail.com

The response
“The department reiterates its call for calm as work to conclude the signing of SLAs is underway in earnest. The department is confident of the cordial partnership with NPOs to efficiently deliver the most essential services to the vulnerable in the province,” says the departmental head of communications at the DSD, Motsamai Motlhaolwa.

There is hope
Impumelelo, a home for quadriplegic residents in Pollak Park, has confirmed a departmental visit and the signing of their SLA. Chairperson of the organisation, Joseph Machweu, says things are a little different this year.

“We usually sign the SLA in January or February, but things were different this year. We were really struggling and didn’t have money to pay people’s salaries, but we hope we will get the money before this month ends.

“They came, we read through the documents, and signed the SLA.”