The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the adoption of its motion by the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, compelling the Department of Social Development (DSD) to urgently assist non-compliant NGOs in obtaining the necessary compliance certifications. This intervention is critical to enabling these organisations to access funding and continue their essential work in supporting vulnerable communities across the province.
According to the National Department of Social Development, Mpumalanga currently has 15 102 Non-Governmental-Organizations (NGOs) that have not obtained their compliance certificates because they are non-compliant to the NPO Act. This means that these organizations will no longer be able to access certain privileges such as tax exemptions, letters of support and funding from government, donors and private institutions that uphold accountability and the rule of law.
On Thursday, the DA requested the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature and the Provincial Department of Social Development to assist these organizations to get compliance certificates, so that they can access funding which will help them to continue providing their wide range of services to children, youth, persons with disabilities, older persons and humanitarian relief.
The recent withdrawal of USAID funding has placed numerous NGOs in Mpumalanga, and around the country, in an extremely precarious financial position, with almost all facing imminent closure due to a lack of funding. These organisations play a pivotal role in upholding human rights, empowering the most vulnerable, and providing a voice to marginalised communities. Without immediate intervention, their collapse would leave thousands without critical social services.
Plus, reports presented to the Portfolio Committee of Social Development have highlighted 141 vacant social worker positions within Mpumalanga. NGOs have been instrumental in ensuring that essential social services continue to reach those in need. Oversight reports further indicate that the DSD lacks both the capacity and financial resources to effectively deliver these crucial services in the absence of NGO support.
However, many of these NGOs are currently non-compliant and, as a result, are unable to apply for alternative funding from other organisations. The responsibility for issuing compliance certifications lies with the DSD, making it imperative for the department to expedite the process and ensure that NGOs can secure the financial support necessary to sustain their operations.
The DA urges the DSD to act with the urgency that this crisis demands. Bureaucratic red tape must not stand in the way of saving lives and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. We will continue to monitor the implementation of this resolution and hold the department accountable for ensuring that no NGO is forced to close its doors due to avoidable administrative delays.
The DA remains committed to advocating for the protection and empowerment of Mpumalanga’s most vulnerable communities and ensuring that vital social services remain accessible to those who need them most.