Dear Editor
During a briefing to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Development, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) revealed that it has spent more than R1.4 billion on providing vital support to the people of the Western Cape through its Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) partners.
The DSD has maintained a longstanding policy of using the NPO sector to provide high-quality, low cost services to the people of the Western Cape. The 2021/2022 financial year saw the Department spend a total of R1 406 704 000 on NPO funding, spread across 2040 organisations. These organisations were carefully selected to provide the best possible return on investment, and a comprehensive selection of services to the Western Cape’s most vulnerable residents.
During the meeting, the DSD also explained the core principles it uses to ensure that funds are allocated only to the most effective, accountable, and efficient organisations, as well as its mechanisms for assisting and monitoring funded NPOs to ensure maximum performance. The Department also provided a breakdown on NPOs which it has funded by category.
Spending highlights include:
- R205 million on child care and protection
- R250 million on services to older persons
- R165 million on persons with disabilities
- R14 million on assistance with crime prevention
MPP Dan Plato said: “I am pleased that the Department of Social Development has once again put the needs of Western Cape citizens first in its spending. The use of NPOs to fulfill the Department’s mandate ensures that the departmental budget is utilized to its furthest extent, and that services are provided efficiently and close to the community. The provincial DSD’s decision to allocate such a large portion of its budget to funding non-profits demonstrates its unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable citizens of our province.”
Regards
Dan Plato, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development
Cape Town Lens: Sandy Bay