CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Cuma Pantshwa 

• The Department of Social Development (DSD) has launched a proactive initiative in Buffalo City to help Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) overcome compliance challenges and avoid de-registration.
• Through community-based help desks, NPO representatives receive personalised support to submit financial statements, reprint missing documents, and navigate the registration process.
• The initiative aims to strengthen the NPO sector, ensuring organisations remain compliant and operational, which is crucial for their continued support of underserved communities.

With more than 160,000 non-profit organisations facing the risk of de-registration due to compliance challenges, concerns have grown over the difficulties these requirements pose—particularly for grassroots organisations that often struggle with limited resources and minimal government support.

The Department of Social Development (DSD) has taken a proactive step to safeguard and empower Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) by launching a hands-on initiative in Buffalo City this week. This drive, centred around community-based help desks, is a beacon of hope for NPO owners grappling with administrative challenges that put their registration status at risk.

In a community hall in Mdantsane, nearly 100 NPO owners are receiving personalised support from DSD officials. Through these help desks, NPO representatives are able to submit their financial statements and annual reports directly, avoiding the pitfalls of missed deadlines or lost files.

For those whose files have gone missing, the help desks offer a quick and effective solution: document reprinting services. These efforts not only streamline processes but also provide a renewed sense of trust and collaboration between NPOs and the government. Additionally, the department is assisting new organisations in navigating the often complex application process to register as an NPO on-site.

“Support is key,” said Nora Phumani, who has been running a crèche in Mdantsane since 2003. Walking out of the community hall ecstatic and relieved, she said she was very happy with the help she received. “I’ve checked my status here today and I also managed to submit my reports. Everything is going right,” said Ms Phumani.

This initiative underscores the critical role NPOs play as the lifeblood of communities, particularly in underserved areas. From creating jobs for women and youth to providing essential services like education, healthcare, and food security, these organisations form the backbone of societal development.

The Department of Social Development’s outreach programme is not just about paperwork—it’s about empowering community champions like Siphokazi Mcata, a teacher by profession with a passion for uplifting children. Siphokazi shared her vision of starting a drop-in centre for children in her community. “I want to create a safe space for children to stay off the streets, where they can complete their homework and enjoy a nutritious meal after school,” she said.

Her journey toward establishing the centre reached a significant milestone today when she visited the NU15 Municipality Hall to pick up her NPO registration certificate. “I’m here to pick up my certificate so I can start operating. This initiative by the department has been such a relief,” she said with excitement.

The Department recently announced the phased implementation of a de-registration process for non-compliant NPOs. This measure aligns with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) findings, which identified a medium risk of terror financing and money laundering within the NPO sector. As the registrar and custodian of the NPO Act, the Department has been tasked with developing and implementing the NPO Terror Funding Risk Assessment to address these concerns. The outreach programme is part of the Department’s broader national efforts to enhance compliance within the NPO sector and implement FATF recommendations ahead of South Africa’s progress review early next year.

Nokuthula Duma, Senior NPO Officer at DSD, also remarked, “We really appreciate the positive feedback. Most of them are happy with these services because they can now operate with a clear conscience, knowing they are compliant and eligible to apply for funding. Some have come to collect their certificates and constitutions. We are here to ensure they can continue the good work they do in their communities.” She added that by ensuring these organisations remain compliant and operational, the department is directly supporting the people who depend on them.

The Department of Social Development’s efforts reflect a commitment to continuous improvement in supporting the NPO sector by ensuring it is protected and empowered. By bridging the gap between policy and practice, the initiative fosters sustainability and growth within these vital organisations that are the lifeblood of communities.