Latest news with #Grobbelaar
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Gauteng Social Development Department returns R102m to Treasury while NPOs await critical funding
Despite promises and paperwork, numerous Gauteng non-profit organisations are still waiting for vital funding from the provincial Department of Social Development, three months into the financial year. Homes for abused children, youth care centres, and disability support organisations say they're on the verge of collapse, with staff unpaid and children going without essentials. On a chilly winter morning in Gauteng, staff at a small community shelter unlock the doors with more uncertainty than hope. Food supplies are running low, electricity bills are piling up, and many caregivers haven't been paid in weeks. Still, they serve meals and provide critical care to the province's most vulnerable. But one question hangs over every effort: How much longer can they keep going? As of June, dozens of NGOs across Gauteng have gone three months without funding from the provincial Department of Social Development. This financial freeze threatens essential services that support thousands, including children, the elderly, abuse survivors, and people with disabilities. The Gauteng Care Crisis Committee said a closer look at just 11 affected NGOs revealed a grim reality: services for nearly 2,834 people were at risk. Among those hardest hit are Jacaranda Kinderhuis and Louis Botha Children's Home, two of Gauteng's largest child and youth care centres, together sheltering more than 250 children. Charlene Grobbelaar, the CEO of both facilities, said the consequences of the department's inaction were devastating. 'We have stopped all services except the basic needs. We cut down expenditure to the bone, using what little reserve funds we had. Those are now depleted. We have 122 staff and 300 children between the two centres. It's not just 122 individuals who are suffering, it's 122 families,' she said. Silence from the top Beyond the financial strain, organisations are also grappling with a frustrating lack of communication from the department. Despite submitting all required documentation on time, including compliance with new regulations like the J7 38 form (verifying staff are not listed on the sexual offenders register), the organisations have faced weeks of silence. 'Honestly, I hate to say it but this year, it's the truth: the system is failing our children. It's Child Protection Week, the irony of our government not protecting the most vulnerable… They're suffering the most. If you're not even paying the subsidy, how can you say you're protecting children? That's not fair,' she said. The emotional toll is evident. 'You can see it, people are stressed, on edge, running on fumes. Children pick up on everything. Everyone's trying their best, don't get me wrong, but I can see it in their faces. Our vision is to raise empowered enablers, but right now, no one feels empowered,' she said. Grobbelaar emphasised that their centres had met all obligations set out in their Service Level Agreement with the department. 'When you take a job, you and your employer sign a contract that sets expectations. That's what a Service Level Agreement is. We give 100%. We have a multidisciplinary team. We're professional, committed. Our service is good. I'm proud of it, we deliver real care,' she said. 'But here we are, not being paid. Tomorrow, the Auditor-General is coming and I have to ask: With what money were we supposed to care for these children over the past two months?' Delays undermine quality care for vulnerable children Sam Mokgopha from Kids Haven said delays had tangible impacts on service delivery. The organisation has capacity for 176 children across two campuses and employs 94 staff members. The children range in age from four to 18 years, though care can be extended to 21 for those who are still in school. 'Funding goes towards everything — food, transport for children, electricity, water, and salaries for staff including social workers. If there's no money, these basic needs go unmet. Operations get affected, and we can't deliver the quality care the children deserve,' he said. Mokgopha emphasised that many children's homes, especially those without financial reserves, were severely affected. 'Many NGOs are in crisis, and in places like Pretoria some still haven't received any payments at all,' he said. When asked about communication with the department, Mokgopha said there was always a mismatch between what the department communicated and what actually happened on the ground. 'Even when timelines are shared, payments are still delayed. The gap between policy and practice is wide,' he said. He was especially critical of the disconnect between public messaging and operational reality. 'It's ironic that the department speaks about working together to protect vulnerable children, yet delays in funding directly harm those very children. If we really believe in child protection, we must ensure the systems that support it are properly funded and functional,' he said. Mokgopha urged the full implementation of the Sector Funding Policy, a national framework that sets clear timelines for signing Service Level Agreements, disbursing funds, and reporting. He said that if the policy were properly followed, organisations would know exactly when to expect funding, removing the annual uncertainty and anxiety that peaked every April and May. Deliberate bureaucratic delays Lisa Vetten, the chairperson of the Gauteng Care Crisis Committee, criticised what she described as deliberate delays and chronic mismanagement by the department. 'This is the second year in a row they've returned unspent funds to the Treasury that were meant for NPOs. Last year, it was around R230-million. This year, it's R102-million. After all the protests and promises, especially the Premier's pledge to restore funding, this money still wasn't spent,' she said. Exacerbating the situation, Vetten said, was the fact that many organisations were still running on 2022/2023 budgets with no adjustments for inflation or cost of living. The department's insistence on compliance from NGOs stands in sharp contrast to its own conduct, with Vetten highlighting the department's failure to sign contracts, delayed payments, and the money that was returned to the Treasury. 'When provinces underspend, the Treasury allocates them less money the following year. So the Department of Social Development's failure to manage its funds properly could jeopardise future budgets, further threatening services to vulnerable groups,' she said. The delays are occurring during Child Protection Week, a time when the department has intensified messaging around safeguarding children. 'It's deeply concerning. Child and Youth Care Centres house children who have been removed from abusive situations by court order. They're wards of the state, the department has a legal responsibility to protect them. Yet delays in funding can result in inadequate food, reduced staff, and even relocation of children due to closure threats,' said Vetten. 'This constant movement, first from their families, then between Child and Youth Care Centres, undermines their ability to trust adults and form stable relationships. It's emotionally damaging. We need to start acknowledging administrative harm, harm that results from poor governance decisions like these,' she said. Calls for permanent leadership grow amid crisis Vetten traces some of the systemic breakdowns to leadership instability. The department still lacks a permanent head of department (HOD). 'This position has been acting for over a year. We need a qualified, experienced, service-oriented leader with management skills. Without that, dysfunction continues,' she said. Vetten also raised concerns about the lack of accountability for past controversies. 'There's been no public accounting for the infamous Service Level Agreement panels or the R70-million reportedly spent on an unused shelter. There are also reports about irregular payments to food banks and cooperatives. These issues have faded from public memory without proper investigation,' she said. Refiloe Nt'sekhe, a DA MPL in Gauteng, voiced concern over what she called a breakdown in the department's internal systems, describing a department caught off guard and scrambling, with restructuring and leadership gaps only worsening the delays. She highlighted the ongoing vacancy in the HOD role, calling it a major contributor to the department's dysfunction. 'Without permanent leadership, there's no accountability or coordination. If this was a well-oiled machine, timelines would've been met,' Nt'sekhe said. She added that experienced staff had been moved out of key positions without consultation, further destabilising operations. These shifts, she said, had had a direct impact on service delivery and budget execution. Of particular alarm to Nt'sekhe was the return of R102-million in unspent funds to the Treasury, money that should have gone to essential services like HIV/Aids programmes and dignity packs. 'The department says it's protecting children, but on the ground drop-in centres are underfunded, children are going hungry, and there are no real contingency plans. Three months of non-payment is too long. Vulnerable children are slipping through the cracks; it's heartbreaking,' she said. The department issued a media statement on 3 June stating that since the start of the financial year it had issued 1,640 Service Level Agreements, of which 1,424 had been signed and concluded. A remaining 216 were still outstanding, prompting the department to issue warning letters to the relevant NPOs, with a firm deadline set for the end of this week. The department has responded to media inquiries regarding unpaid NPOs, stating that while individual financial details cannot be shared publicly, affected organisations were urged to contact their respective regional offices or monitoring and evaluation officials for updates. DM
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls hope to whitewash Dragons this weekend
The Bulls are aiming to keep last-placed Dragons off the scoreboard when the teams clash in their final URC league phase game. Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar says they wanted to keep Cardiff point-less last weekend and hope to do so to Dragons this weekend. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/The Bulls are aiming for a whitewash victory against Dragons when the teams play in their last United Rugby Championship league phase match at Loftus on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). The Bulls also hoped to keep Cardiff off the scoreboard in their match last weekend. Though the Bulls won the game at Loftus with a bonus point, it wasn't the perfect win they hoped for when they fell asleep in defence at certain points and let the Welsh side score three tries (final score 45–21). But the Pretoria outfit will not go easy on bottom-placed Dragons, even though the Bulls only need a losing bonus point to guarantee a second-place finish on the URC log should Glasgow Warriors beat Leinster with a bonus point. Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar told media they will be striving for a perfect game and play without the fear of injury. Bulls have 'no room for errors' 'We wanted to give them (Cardiff) zero points on the board, same as this weekend [against Dragons],' Grobbelaar said. 'We were on track and then they got those three tries that didn't make any difference to the result or the log. But it is something we want to fix going into the playoffs. 'When we play those big matches, there won't be room for errors.' The Dragons have only won one match so far this season, beating Ospreys eight months ago in September. Still, Grobbelaar said there would be no complacency among Bulls players before and during the game. 'There's a lot of motivation. At this stage of the competition, you want to keep building. You want to be at your best. This week won't change much about the log, but it is good for building form and confidence. 'You don't want to wonder what is going on and what went wrong last weekend when you go into a quarter-final. We're going to have to be on top of our game against Dragons.' Touching on star flyhalf Johan Goosen picking up another knee injury last weekend, Grobbelaar said injuries were a reality but no one would be holding back for fear of picking one up.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ticketing meltdown: Over 50,000 tickets sold for Nedbank Cup Final despite 49,000-seat limit
Moses Mabhida Stadium Image: Supplied Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ During the briefing, it was revealed that Moses Mabhida's capacity for the Nedbank Cup final will be 49,000. However, after hospitality and complimentary tickets were given out to the clubs and other stakeholders, 41,000 were available for general sale to the public. Stadium Management SA's Grobbelaar said Shoprite and Checkers retail outlets sold 4,956 tickets, Open Tickets sold 2,435, while 44,121 tickets were sold by Computicket, bringing the number of tickets sold to 51,512. As a result of tickets being oversold, all platforms ceased sales, and according to Grobbelaar, they then had to issue refunds. '10,510 tickets were paid for, but were over capacity, and those people had to be refunded.' He went on to add: 'There were no tickets issued than the capacity allows for.' PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala said they were immediately aware when the Open Tickets platform crashed, and immediately started looking for solutions. 'We then spoke to Computicket, and asked them to use their server so that people can purchase tickets,' said Madlala. However, due to Computicket and Open Tickets not communicating, they could not update the number of tickets sold, which led to more tickets than seats available being sold. Madlala concluded by saying she was happy that the ticketing issues had since been brought under control. IOL Sport
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bulls to breathe fire against Dragons and won't hold back for fear of injuries, says Johan Grobbelaar
Johan Grobbelaar Johan Grobbelaar believes that the Bulls can go all the way in the United Rugby Championship this season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix There will be no complacency from the Bulls as they head into the final round-robin match of the United Rugby Championship (URC) against the Dragons on Saturday in Pretoria. That was the vow of hooker Johan Grobbelaar, who has been a pillar for the second-placed Pretoria side this season. The clash at Loftus Versfeld (3pm start) will give the Bulls the opportunity to finish second on the official URC log, and they only need a single point from the duel to secure the spot. It will put them in a position to play a home semi-final should they make it past the quarters, but they'll only know at the end of the final round who they'll be facing in the first knockout clash. According to Grobbelaar, there will be no resting on their laurels, even if they are facing bottom-feeders the Dragons. The Bulls will be looking to consolidate their second place this Saturday with an emphatic victory as they continue to build momentum for the playoffs. 'There will be no complacency as we move towards the business end of the competition,' the Bok hooker said. 'Maybe this weekend's game won't change much about the (URC) log, but it's very important, looking at our form and going into the playoffs. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'So, there is no more room for losses going forward. There is a lot of motivation going forward (into this game). 'Not necessarily because who we are playing, but at this stage, you want to keep building and be at your best. 'You don't want to wonder what's going on, especially when heading into the quarter-finals. 'We want to be on top of our game against the Dragons.' According to Grobbelaar, there won't be a lack of motivation from them when facing the Dragons, even if they've secured a home quarter-final already. He feels they are all working towards their end goal, to win the final, and everyone is motivated and looking forward to the rest of the competition. They will rely on their leadership group to pull them through, while sport psychologist Dr Henning Gericke has also been prepping them throughout the season for what awaits in the playoffs. 'Doc Henning keeps us calm and motivated. He sees us every day, and he is doing an awesome job in that department,' Grobbelaar said. 'I don't think any of the guys will be holding back (even after the injury to flyhalf Johan Goosen). Injuries are a reality. But I don't think any of the guys will hold back. 'We've made the finals twice and played three times in the playoffs. There's no trophy to show yet. 'But there have been learnings, and we will take that. We want to ensure we finish strong, even in the final, to make sure we pull it through.'
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Nedbank final tickets sold out, thousands to be refunded amid chaos: PSL
Tickets for Saturday's Soweto derby Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban have been sold out, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced in a press conference in Durban on Wednesday. The PSL addressed the chaos surrounding ticket sales since they went up for purchase at 10am on Monday. Scores of supporters have complained they have purchased tickets online with providers Open Tickets and Computicket, but then did not receive them or proof they will. Others were turned away from retailers and told to buy on the internet, but Open Tickets' online system was reportedly overwhelmed and many were unsuccessful. Some supporters who thought they had their purchase confirmed received messages via email or WhatsApp that there had been over-selling and they were in fact not successful. PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala, speaking at a press conference with Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) CEO Bertie Grobbelaar, said tickets have been sold out for the final. Those who paid online but did not receive their tickets will be refunded. Moses Mabhida Stadium is not overseen by SMSA, but Madlala explained Grobbelaar was roped in to assist resolving the Nedbank final ticket chaos. 'The demand of a Soweto derby is always more than what we can supply,' Madlala said. 'What we did after the ticket sales and problems we experienced because of volumes was we roped in Bertie. He has hosted matches at FNB Stadium using the same companies [Open Tickets and Computicket]. 'We said to him, 'Come as an independent auditor to advise us in terms of what happened because we want the truth'. I don't want to listen to a service provider telling me what they think they should be telling me or telling me things that will please me — I want the raw truth as it is. 'Bertie is not representing SMSA but he's representing me. I said he must analyse this report [on ticket sales] and tell me what is wrong or right and what we can fix.' Grobbelaar confirmed he was not representing SMSA or the companies responsible for selling tickets, but was asked by the PSL to analyse the numbers. 'The major concern was the over-issuing of tickets — that was the main concern of the CEO, PSL and the [league] chair [Irvin Khoza],' he said. 'From the data I have obtained the approved capacity of the stadium is 49,307 seats. It's a reduced capacity by the stadium's management and that is the number of tickets that were issued. 'Hospitality are 5,307, complimentary tickets 3,000, which leaves 41,000 that went on sale. According to the preliminary report provided to the PSL, tickets were sole out within 90 minutes [of going on sale]. 'That caused a delay, a glitch or call it whatever you want, but the fact is the tickets went on sale and the system allowed more people to make payments than there is capacity for. 'Computicket stopped the platform from issuing physical tickets but the transactions still went through. At the retail outlets 4,966 tickets were sold and issued across the country. 'Digital tickets on the Open Tickets website, 2,435 [were sold]; and the Computicket website, 44,121 tickets were sold. That immediately tells you there's an issue of over-issuing of tickets. 'Of the outlet sales, 33% went to KwaZulu-Natal, 35% went to Gauteng and 8% Mpumalanga. The Open Ticket and Computicket online sales combined in KZN were 39%, Gauteng 32% and Mpumalanga 12%.' Grobbelaar said more than 10,000 tickets were over-issued, and those purchasers will be refunded. 'All people who paid for the tickets to the capacity of the stadium have received their tickets — hard copy or digital — via different platforms. ' Of the people who paid but cannot be allocated tickets, 80%, as we speak here of those bought online, we have refunded. 'The other 20% is people who paid via EFT or other forms of payment platform. They all received messages that upon receipt of their banking details they will be refunded.' Deputy provincial commissioner responsible for visible policing in KwaZulu-Natal Major Gen Phumelele Makoba said people who do not have tickets must not go to Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Moses Mabhida Stadium manager Vusi Mazibuko said there will public viewing areas (PVAs) for those who could not get the tickets. 'The city will provide two PVAs. One is at the beachfront and the other is at Albert Park.'
