Latest news with #RefiloeNt'sekhe
IOL News
2 days ago
- 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
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Gauteng NPOs face collapse as social development cuts funding
Despite the increasing need for child protection services, the department has returned significant sums to the provincial treasury. Non-profit organisations (NPOs) providing vital services to vulnerable children across Gauteng are struggling to stay afloat due to funding cuts and delays by the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD). According to the Democratic Alliance's Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Refiloe Nt'sekhe, children in need are bearing the brunt of these failures. Sharp decline in support for NPOs Nt'sekhe said the department has consistently reduced the number of NPOs it funds. 'In the 2021/22 financial year, the department was funding 2 856 NPOs, 2022/23 – 1 837, 2023/24 – 1 464, and about 1 328 in the 2024/25 financial year,' she stated. One of the affected organisations is a foundation in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, which caters for children and operates feeding schemes. With funding either delayed or completely withdrawn, operations have been severely impacted. Despite the increasing need for child protection services, the department has returned significant sums to the provincial treasury. 'In 2023/24, GDSD returned R554 million, and the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year already indicates R102 million returned,' Nt'sekhe said. ALSO READ: South Africans trust business and NGOs, but have beef with the rich 'No sympathy for social needs' As South Africa observes Child Protection Week, Nt'sekhe has called for greater accountability from MEC Faith Mazibuko. 'Delays in the signing of Service Level Agreements and disbursing funds demonstrate her department's incompetence and a lack of sympathy towards the province's social needs and the well-being of its most vulnerable children,' she said. She added that Mazibuko could no longer blame her predecessor and urged her to effect urgent changes within the department. 'This Child Protection Week, we must demand transparency and clear timelines on the disbursement of funds to NPOs.' ALSO READ: My Vote Counts asks for extension and transparency in IEC appointments Constitutional rights under threat Citing Section 27 of the Constitution, Nt'sekhe said the state has a legal obligation to ensure that citizens, especially children, have access to food, healthcare, and social security. 'Without adequate funding for NPOs, the chances of abandoned children surviving and thriving diminish significantly,' she warned. The GDSD had not yet responded to The Citizen at the time of publishing. NOW READ: MES faces explosive claims of BEE violations and financial misconduct
Eyewitness News
27-04-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng NPOs still battling Social Development Dept for funding
JOHANNESBURG - While some non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Gauteng said they are still waiting for funding from the Department of Social Development, others claim they've received money without signing contracts. The Gauteng Care Crisis Committee has taken the lead in a legal battle on behalf of the NPOs, citing ongoing mismanagement and delays in funding. The committee first took the department to court in May 2024, when dozens of NPOs were left in limbo over whether they would be funded. At the time, around 60 organisations were represented, many of which had already shut down due to financial uncertainty. That number has since grown. The crisis came after Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced budget cuts for the 2024/2025 financial year, slashing funding from R2.4 billion to R1.8 billion. Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL Refiloe Nt'sekhe said the situation remains dire. 'The scary part is I've shown them how much money the department is wasting on legal fees, because maybe those legal fees could have made a dent in the money they owe the NPOs because you'll find that lawyers cost millions.' Nt'sekhe said their focus is to ensure all approved NPOs get the funding they need to operate.
