Latest news with #GautengDepartmentofSocialDevelopment
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Joburg NPOs updated on new funding system and food relief plan
Joburg NPOs updated on new funding system and food relief plan 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. ALSO READ: MEC orders swift action on Gauteng's failing infrastructure 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. ALSO READ: FATAL BUS CRASH: Gauteng MEC visits patients in Thembisa '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.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- 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
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Department goes digital: NPOs urged to use new online system
To ensure a smooth transition, the department is hosting mandatory workshops and awareness sessions across all five Gauteng corridors The Gauteng Department of Social Development is ditching paperwork and going digital in a bid to streamline the management of non-profit organisation (NPO) funding. From this week, the department will begin rolling out a new electronic NPO funding management system, known as Grantor, which will handle all future applications, payments and service level agreements (SLAs) electronically. 'This is your chance to level up your funding application game and embrace a smarter, smoother way of working,' said Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko. Digital transformation to fix delays According to Mazibuko, the department's move to the Grantor system is meant to address long-standing administrative bottlenecks that have often delayed the processing of NPO claims and payments. 'We are investing in technology to improve the processing of applications and payments, something which has been a challenge for the department,' she said. The Grantor system will enable NPOs to submit business plans, apply for funding, and receive SLAs all online. This will cut down on red tape and speed up turnaround times. ALSO READ: Is Joburg ready to host G20? Gauteng on frenzy to repair potholes and streetlights [VIDEO] Week-long training workshops begin Monday Furthermore, to ensure a smooth transition, the department is hosting mandatory workshops and awareness sessions across all five Gauteng corridors. These sessions will run from Monday, 4 August to Friday, 8 August. The first workshop takes place in Sebokeng on Monday at 12pm. The rest of the week's schedule is: Tuesday, 5 August – Johannesburg Wednesday, 6 August – Ekurhuleni Thursday, 7 August – West Rand Friday, 8 August – Tshwane NPOs are required to bring their own laptops to the sessions to engage directly with the system. Mazibuko urged organisations to attend, emphasising the system's long-term benefits for improved funding processes. 'With this new online system, we will be able to work faster and more efficiently, and we encourage NPOs to attend our mandatory workshops so that they can learn more about the Grantor system,' she said. The department said this digital shift marks a 'game-changing' moment in public service delivery. NOW READ: Lesufi reshuffles several heads of Gauteng departments after reports reveal misconduct
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Youth Career Expo in Bophelong
BOPHELONG.- The Gauteng Department of Social Development in partnership with with Dirang Ka Kagiso, a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) funded by the Department, hosted a Youth Career Expo at Asedi Community Centre in Bophelong last Thursday. The Youth Career Expo aimed to empower youth with Skills Development Programmes provided by the NPO with the aim of equipping youth to be self-sustainable. 'Part of the programme is that we will be launching Dirang Ka Kagiso which is a Skills Development Centre which aims to empower youth with skills so that they can start their businesses with an aim of sustaining themselves,' said the Gauteng Department of Social Development. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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
