MIDDELBURG – Mpumalanga Social Development MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi has urged non-profit organisations (NPOs) receiving funding from her department to comply with regulations and account for every cent.
Moeketsi, on Thursday, March 20, facilitated the official unveiling of Thushanang Stimulation Centre at Extension 24 in Middelburg.
The MEC said that despite the department of social development (DSD) operating on a limited fiscal budget, it still provides funding to NPOs and other entities to deliver developmental social services. These include organisations focusing on children, families, older persons, and people with disabilities, among others.
Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development Khethiwe Moeketsi says NPOs must account for every cent received from her department and comply with required documents to avoid deregistration.
“As we fund them, we also encourage them to take accountability for every cent that we provide as a department,” she told the paper in an interview.
“They must report back and comply with all the documentation we require as a department so that we can continue funding them. If they fail to do so, we may find ourselves in a situation where we have to deregister them.”
The stimulation centre, donated by the Seriti Trust, includes mobile classrooms for persons with disabilities and early childhood development (ECD). It also features a kitchen, ablution facilities, a well-equipped playground, and administration offices fitted with furniture and air conditioners.
Centre manager Johanna Mitchell said they initially operated in a shack built on land donated by the Steve Tshwete Municipality.
“We were in a shack, which made it difficult for us and the children, especially when it rained or was cold. Seriti made us proud by building this facility for us,” she said.
“We have hardworking teachers, which translates into children who are progressing.”
Mitchell added that the number of beneficiaries has increased. “We have more children now. Previously, we had 11 children with disabilities, and now we have 20. The ECD had 20 children, and now there are 70,” she said.
The MEC also emphasised that her department encourages board members to seek donations from various companies, including local businesses, as government funds are limited.
“Seriti, in this case, responded positively, which is why we have this infrastructure. We need to encourage other businesses and stakeholders to be part of bringing change in people’s lives,” she said.
“We need them as government. We cannot do this alone as the government of Mpumalanga. We need them to take part in giving back to our communities.”
Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela expressed gratitude for Seriti’s contribution.
“I am happy and grateful that Seriti intervened when storms damaged facilities in our communities. We still face challenges such as water pipe bursts, so we need this partnership to ensure our communities have an adequate water supply without disruptions,” he said.
