Latest news with #GDSD
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Gauteng DSD launches digital system to streamline NPO funding
The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) is embracing digital technology to stay current, aiming to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery. The department will implement the electronic NPO funding management system (Grantor) to process and pay NPO claims. Going forward, the Grantor system will process funding applications, submissions for business plans and the subsequent issuance of the service level agreements. The department is bidding goodbye to the old days of paperwork. Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko will host mandatory workshops and system awareness sessions across all five provincial corridors to help NPOs master this powerful new tool. 'We are investing in technology to improve the processing of applications and payments, something that has been a challenge for the department. ALSO CHECK: Measles outbreak in Gauteng: 181 cases confirmed, public urged to vaccinate 'With this new online system, we will work quickly and more efficiently. We encourage NPOs to attend our mandatory workshops to learn more about the Grantor system. 'This is your chance to level up your funding application game and embrace a smarter, smoother way of working,' Mazibuko said. The first workshop was on August 4 in Sebokeng. The roll out for the week is as follows: August 5: Central Corridor (JHB); August 6: Eastern Corridor (Ekurhuleni); August 7: Western Corridor (West Rand); August 8:Northern Corridor (Tshwane). Venues and starting times will be confirmed. NPOs must take their laptops to the workshops.
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Food parcel funding cuts: Social Development deny wanting to centralise distribution
Funding for food parcel distribution has been cut to non-profit organisations servicing impoverished HIV/ Aids patients. Concerns have been raised about the distribution of food parcels being taken out of the hands of regional food banks and non-profit organisations (NPOs). The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng recently flagged a meeting held by officials to discuss changes to the way food parcels were distributed. The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) denied wanting to centralise food parcel distribution, but did confirm there had been a change affecting organisations serving HIV/ Aids patients. Unintended consequences The DA stated that it rejects any plan to centralise food bank operations, citing a meeting held at the end of May to discuss restructuring the functions of 288 NPOs and five regional food banks. 'The department said that they are planning to implement the centralised food bank immediately. I asked for the address of this food bank, and I'm still waiting for a response,' DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development Refiloe Nt'sekhe relayed to The Citizen on Monday. 'The MEC and her team discussed this at a committee meeting when presenting quarter four results in Heidelberg at one of the GDSD facilities on 29 May,' explained Nt'sekhe. The DA had earlier warned that centralisation could inadvertently increase DSD's distribution costs, disrupt the businesses of local suppliers and fail to meet the needs of the vulnerable. 'Centralising food distribution undermines the empowerment of local suppliers and businesses, which could stimulate the economy and create jobs,' stated Nt'sekhe. 'This decision raises serious concerns as the GDSD lacks the capacity to distribute food centrally,' the shadow MEC stated. No funding for NPOs to buy food parcels GDSD spokesperson Motsamai Motlhaolwa said that the centralisation talk was not true, and that food distribution centres would be funded throughout the 2025-26 financial year. The department stated on Monday that reduced budget allocations had forced a restructuring of operations. 'There has been a change in modality for the Home and Community Based Care organisations (HCBC) within the HIV and AIDS programme, where funding was cut, impacting food distribution through HCBC. 'The department suffered budget cuts within the HCBC programme and had to review service delivery modalities to accommodate shortfalls,' Motlhaolwa told The Citizen. Motlhaolwa clarified that the distribution of food through NPOs running HCBC programmes would be transferred to the food bank system, which was still run by NPOs. 'It was resolved that HCBC organisations will not be provided with an allocation to procure food parcels. However, they would still be able to provide food parcels to their beneficiaries through food distribution centres.' Meds on an empty stomach Food parcels distributed by NPOs to impoverished communities are the final safety net for food security and are vital for HIV/ AIDS patients. Several NPOs have already suffered budget cuts after the department ran a compliance clampdown earlier in the year. South Africa also lost more than US$400 million (R7 billion) in HIV/ Aids-related foreign aid in February. Founder and Director of Vhathu Vhothe Abuse Centre Sibongile Nkosi deals with domestic and gender-based violence victims and assists patients with anti-retroviral treatment. Nkosi explained that they would deliver food parcels to poverty-stricken HIV/ Aids patients to ensure they were not taking their medication on an empty stomach. She explained that a lack of funding would worsen their already dire situation and add to the number of NPOs that have been forced to shut down in recent months. 'The worst is turning to someone who you can see is hungry, and there's nothing we can do. It's painful,' said Nkosi. 'There should be other measures in place before cutting the budget, because our beneficiaries are suffering because of this.' NPOs deliver 'on time' Moses Mahlangu, Director of North Gauteng Mental Health Society (NGMHS), said no information on the changes had been sent from the national or provincial DSD. 'Communication is very important, so that is our main problem. If that message is delivered late, our clients are currently expecting food parcels, and they come here every day,' he explained, admitting that power had been cut at the Pretoria-based NPO due to a lack of funds. Mahlangu received partial funding at the beginning of the financial quarter, but has received no assurance from GDSD on the remaining funding, and he fears for the payment of staff salaries due this week. 'They are not giving us straight answers. We don't know what the holdup is with regard to the subsidies.' NGMHS also distribute food to HIV/ Aids patients, and he urged the department to reconsider, or at least identify NPOs with a proven track record. 'We know, we deliver food parcels on time. We have been doing this for many years without any problems,' said Mahlangu. NOW READ: Over 8 000 SA healthcare jobs lost – and more could follow – after US Pepfar aid cuts
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Lesufi's failure to act on substance abuse leaves youth in danger
In March 2025, the DA revealed that the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) squandered over R34 million on preliminary planning for the Tembisa Rehabilitation Facility without starting construction, leaving many young people trapped in addiction without access to proper care. Moreover, the DA highlighted the government's decision to reduce nearly half of its inpatient drug rehabilitation capacity by withdrawing funding from five rehabilitation centres, resulting in the loss of 246 treatment beds. This has resulted in limited access to essential services and highlights the failure of Premier Panyaza Lesufi's administration to decisively address the issue of substance abuse, despite repeated promises. The shortage of inpatient and outpatient facilities, particularly in underserved and rural communities, means many affected youths lack access to treatment, thereby perpetuating addiction and deepening the crisis. Unfortunately, substance abuse doesn't exist in isolation; its consequences spread through society, amplifying other crises. One of its most harrowing effects is its role in fuelling crime, violence, deviant behaviour and bullying. Substance abuse also poses challenges in an academic context, resulting in poor academic performance for learners and possibly dropping out of school. The DA urges the Gauteng Provincial Government to deliver the infrastructure and support systems essential to overcoming substance abuse, ensuring every young person in Gauteng has a chance at a healthy, addiction-free future. Refiloe Nt'sekhe MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Tribal authority donates land to secure food security and jobs for youth
Tribal authority donates land to secure food security and jobs for youth In a bold move to honour Youth Month, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), in partnership with Rebafenyi Development Youth Centre, launched an agricultural empowerment project on June 10. The launch took place at the Mashimong agricultural site in Hammanskraal and was graced by local community members and the tribal authority. The initiative aims to equip young people in Hammanskraal with practical skills in crop production and agri-business. According to the department, the initiative forms part of a series of interventions planned for Youth Month. It is designed to empower about 160 young people with the knowledge and tools to participate meaningfully in the agricultural sector, while addressing food insecurity and unemployment. Addressing community members and stakeholders at the event, MEC Faith Mazibuko highlighted the importance of self-reliance among young people. 'Our objective is to equip young people with the necessary skills to break the cycle of dependency on social grants. We want them to become self-sustainable through plant production and entrepreneurship,' said Mazibuko. She also encouraged young people to embrace agriculture as a viable career path that can uplift communities and deter youth from social ills, such as substance and alcohol abuse. 'Opportunities like these must be seized. Agriculture holds the key to ending poverty and hunger. We want our youth to see themselves not only as future farmers but as future agri-preneurs.' The project has been made possible through land support from Amandebele Ba Lebelo Tribal Authority, which donated eight hectares of land to establish the agricultural site. Tribal authority representative, Nicholus Moeketsi, praised the initiative as a life-changing opportunity for local youth. 'This project is vital for our community. It provides our young people with meaningful engagement and a way to earn a living, rather than idling on the streets,' said Moeketsi. He also emphasised the importance of the project as a youth-focused initiative that has the potential to uplift vulnerable groups within the community. 'It also has the potential to contribute towards feeding children from vulnerable families.' For 20-year-old Onkarabile Phasha, who is one of the beneficiaries, the programme has already become a turning point. He shared how the practical training has helped him shape a vision for the future. 'I joined the centre in 2023 to learn about plant production, and I have gained a lot. I aspire to own a piece of land where I can grow my own crops and train others. This programme is shaping my future,' said Phasha. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
No NPO crisis
The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) has rejected false and alarming claims made by some political parties and groups alleging there is a non-profit organisation (NPO) funding crisis. • Also read: NPO appeals process for funding underway According to the MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, these claims are said to be not only misleading but also deliberately distorting the facts to create unnecessary panic within the sector and among the communities that the department serves. Mazibuko made it clear that while the department experienced funding challenges in the previous financial year, these challenges have been effectively addressed, and the ongoing narrative of a crisis is a gross misrepresentation of facts. She said the department has adjudicated about 2 000 applications from NPOs. 'So far, over 1 200 letters of award have been issued to successful organisations. Notifications to unsuccessful applicants are underway, with a formal appeals process in place. Appeals must be lodged within seven days of receiving a rejection notice and are being handled by a dedicated team led by the Deputy Director-General. 'The department has also signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with many of the approved NPOs, and over 300 SLAs have already been paid. A brief payment delay occurred due to technical issues at Treasury – a challenge not unique to Gauteng. Several other provinces also only effected NPO payments last week for the same treasury-related reasons.' According to the MEC, payments are now being processed daily, and the department is on track to complete payments to all approved NPOs by the end of the first quarter of the current financial year. 'The department's ongoing engagement with the NPO sector through meetings and media platforms keeps NPOs informed and supported. These efforts have ensured stability, with no protest action directed at the department's offices.' The MEC further issued a clear warning that compliance is not an option. 'NPOs are expected to meet all legislative and regulatory requirements, including municipal by-laws, departmental programme registration, and full compliance with the NPO Act. The Department will not be held responsible for the consequences faced by organisations that fail to comply. The GDSD remains focused and unwavering in its commitment to work with compliant NPOs to deliver critical services to the people of Gauteng. We will not be derailed by misinformation or political grandstanding,' she concluded. If you are affected as an NPO or NGO, please send an email to randfonteinherald@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
