North West Non-Profit Organisations Warned: Comply or Face Deregistration

Acting MEC for Social Development in the NorthWest,, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, issued a stern warning to non-profit organizations (NPOs) gathered at the two-day NPO summit in Sun City. He emphasized that non-compliance with legal frameworks and agreements could lead to deregistration and disqualification from government funding.

Addressing delegates from various sectors, Molapisi highlighted widespread issues within the NPO landscape. “Most NPOs do not comply with the NPO Act, others do not honor their service level agreements, while some lack sound financial management skills,” he stated. He further criticized instances where NPOs used government funding as collateral for personal loans, which is unlawful and unauthorized.

The summit, themed ‘Strengthening Partnership with Civil Society Organizations,’ underscores the necessity of stronger collaboration between government and the NPO sector. Key topics include capacity building, resource mobilization, transformation, and compliance with legal frameworks.

Molapisi acknowledged the historical role of NPOs in South Africa, particularly during apartheid. “NPOs served as a means of survival for Black people. They provided social protection for the disadvantaged and deprived,” he said. Despite this, he stressed the need for accountability and alignment with government goals.

“The partnership between government and the NPO sector must be strengthened,” Molapisi insisted. He outlined the department’s involvement with NPOs in various social service programs, including HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation, child care, disability support, substance abuse, and crime prevention.

The summit, attended by 118 delegates from the NPO sector, Executive Mayors, representatives from academic institutions, and government agencies such as the National Development Agency and the South African Social Security Agency, signals a concerted effort to address these challenges collectively.

As discussions continue, the message is clear: NPOs must adhere to legal requirements and agreements to ensure effective service delivery and sustained partnerships with government entities.