Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tamsin Metelerkamp
Published on 2024-04-01 16:38:29
Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in the Western Cape are raising concerns about the impact of budget cuts in the Western Cape Department of Social Development’s (WCDSD) budget for the civil society sector as the 2024 financial year approaches. Many NPOs are facing a reduction in funding from the department, which is not a new phenomenon, according to Sue van der Linde, the founder and chairperson of Iris House Children’s Hospice in Bellville, Cape Town.
Van der Linde estimates that her organization has lost approximately R380,000 in WCDSD funding in real terms over the past three years. The recent cuts could be detrimental and could potentially be the tipping point for many organizations. Van der Linde expressed her frustration, stating that they have been asked to “do more with less” for the past two years, and while they have managed to meet that demand, the latest cuts are unsustainable.
Iris House provides free community-based respite care for special needs children and young adults in 62 communities across the Western Cape. The organization has received funding from the WCDSD for the past decade, but last year they were informed that continued funding could not be guaranteed for the upcoming year due to economic pressures in the NPO sector compounded by national budget cuts.
To address the impact of funding cuts, Iris House has launched a petition and a fundraising campaign on GivenGain. Additionally, Van der Linde has established a social enterprise, Carers at Home, to provide respite care for special needs individuals from families able to pay for the service, with profits being reinvested into Iris House.
The impact of funding cuts extends beyond Iris House, with organizations like Ihata Care Group also feeling the strain. The COO of Ihata Care Group, Nuraan Osman, highlighted that the funding for their shelter for abused women and children is being completely cut. Osman expressed concern about the panic and anxiety in the NPO sector, particularly in providing support for vulnerable populations.
The WCDSD has acknowledged the constraints on their budget for NGOs, citing a decrease in real terms due to inflation and wage increases. They are prioritizing funding for critical services such as statutory child protection and residential facilities for vulnerable populations. While the total number of NPOs to be funded in the upcoming financial year is yet to be determined, the department stated that they will cease funding for organizations not compliant with contractual requirements or those in the process of closing.
The impact of funding cuts on NPOs is raising alarm bells in the sector, with concerns about the ability to provide essential services to vulnerable populations. Nonprofit organizations are calling for support from both the government and the private sector to ensure the sustainability of critical services for those in need.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
