NGO crisis as government cuts funding

Now is the time to panic. So say KwaZulu-Natal non-profit organisations as they face massive cuts in government funding.

A recent study looked at just five of the organisations that stood to be affected and those they served.

The cuts would have far-reaching effects: almost 10 000 people – mainly children and the elderly – would be left hungry, homeless or to battle addiction problems on their own.

The Mercury reported last month that the KZN Department of Social Development was slashing subsidies to child and youth-care organisations, old-age homes, organisations caring for people living with disabilities, and those offering marriage counselling.

In the wake of this and other media reports, a team representing more than 200 non-profit organisations in KZN held a press conference yesterday.

“We feel it’s just fair we also share our part of the story,” said spokesman Gerhard Botha.

Last month, a task team led by Gita Harie embarked on a study to establish what impact the funding cuts would have.

Questionnaires

Questionnaires were distributed to NPOs around the province, and 39 were returned. “The total beneficiary reach – of only these 39 organisations – is 525 751,” Harie reported.

She explained that the study had only looked at 39 organisations because of time constraints, but stressed that more than 200 stood to be affected. Of those 525 751 beneficiaries of the 39 organisations, 423 823 were black and 63% of the “total beneficiary reach” was in rural communities.

Five of the 39 organisations had already been advised that they would have their funding cut, and word was this would be with effect from next month.

Speaking on the impact, Harie said: “Just these five organisations have rendered services in the last financial year to 40 392 beneficiaries”. Based on an “assesment of the dialogues” they had had with the department, the cuts would affect 8 313 of their beneficiaries.

One organisation would be forced to close its Durban regional office.

Social work services would be reduced.

Services to some communities would be stopped.

In-patient treatment of children addicted to substances would no longer be offered.

Residential care services would no longer be offered to state pensioners.

Frail-care beds would be substantially reduced.

Transport services would be curtailed to pensioners who would not have access to public transport.

Yesterday NPO representatives challenged comments made by social development spokeswoman Ncumisa Ndelu in the press. One read: “There is absolutely no reason for alarm.”

Femada Shamam said yesterday that this was not true. She added that two child welfare organisations had been called this week to a meeting with the department to discuss their performances, “and along the way were told their posts would be cut”.

“This seems the manner in which the department is liaising with the sector,” she said.

The department was invited to the press conference, but an e-mail from MEC Weziwe Thusi indicated that “due to prior arrangements she was not available to attend”.