The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is backing its praise for non-governmental organisations with R1.138 billion in transfer funding for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Marking World NGO Day, the department said it supports 1 072 organisations across the province, spanning child protection, substance use disorder services, victim empowerment and gender-based violence prevention, older persons’ programmes, disability support, youth development and humanitarian food relief.
Western Cape MEC of Social Development Jaco Londt said NGOs and NPOs expand the department’s reach to vulnerable communities.
“Our partner NGOs and NPOs strengthen the hand of the Department, by increasing our footprint across the province so that services may reach the most vulnerable in society. As government, we cannot address social ills on our own, partners like NGOs and NPOs are vital to reaching more vulnerable residents,” he said.
Londt this week visited several DSD-funded organisations in the Garden Route.
Amy Kearns of the Creative Community Development Project, which supports older persons, said NGOs often reach people government services cannot.
“NGOs reach vulnerable people – like the elderly – that government cannot always reach. We provide them with meals, self-care and awareness programmes, thus helping relieve pressure on the government,” she said.
Roslynn Damons, Parenting Manager and Trainer at Seven Passes Initiative, said community-based organisations are embedded in rural communities.
“Government cannot always reach all the rural areas like ours. We are based in these communities. We see families who are at-risk and we have a more trusting relationship with the people in the communities we serve,” she said.
Londt said the province also established the Cape Care Fund in partnership with The Health Foundation South Africa, which has mobilised R400 000 in six months to support vetted organisations serving vulnerable residents.
Staff Reporter
iol.co.za