(The following debate was delivered by DA KZN Alternate Spokesperson on Social Development, Sakhile Mngadi, MPL during a Budget Sitting in the KZN Legislature today)
The mandate of KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Social Development (DSD) has always been to serve the poorest and most vulnerable within our society. In doing so the department should support the importance of democratic values, human dignity, social justice and equality. It should also ensure a capable and ethical state where job creation and economic growth are a primary focus.
The KZN DSD 2025/26 budget has increased from R3.4 billion to R3.6 billion – a welcome increase to address the gap created by the government wage agreement, over the next three years. The DA is grateful to national treasury and KZN Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers for the additional funding received and for recognising the importance of this critical frontline department. This funding will go a long way to ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens are protected.
The KZN Legislature Social Development portfolio committee fully supports the funding of NPOs that are currently filling the gap in developing, empowering and assisting communities. The budget of R267 045million towards NPO funding, under social welfare services includes R306 090million under children and families’ programmes, R100 449 million under restorative services programmes and R22 295 million under development and research programmes, bringing the total NPO funding to R695 879 million.
It is critical that DSD ensure that NPOs are spending their allocated funding accordingly. While most NPO’s are very good at what they do in terms of social responsibilities, there are also those that misuse their allocated funding.
While the DA supports community organisations and NPOs, as part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), will not sit back and allow government funds to be squandered for personal gain. We remain committed to ensuring that KZN’s Social Development portfolio committee keeps a close eye on department funded organisations. In the event that any organisation is found to be misusing or misappropriating government funds we will ensure that they face the full might of the law and insist that their funding be immediately withdrawn.
Regrettably, inspections of homes and shelters funded by DSD have shown that there are many NPOs that are mismanaging and misappropriating government funding. The Isabel Beardmore Home in Pietermaritzburg is a prime example. Thanks to DSD MEC, Mbali Shinga’s intervention the board of this home was disbanded and the department has intervened to rectify and revive this facility.
The Durban and Coastal Mental Health (DCMH) organisation is yet another example. With staff unpaid and mental health patients left with nothing to eat, this organisation leaves a bitter taste of mismanagement of government funds. The Jonah Vaughn Centre and Manor House – two facilities that fall under the DCMH – are also proving to be another life Esidimeni case right here on our doorstep in KZN. Residents are living under deplorable, filthy conditions which include having to sleep outside due to bedbugs and rats within the facility. These mental health homes are funded by both DSD and KZN’s Department of Health (DoH) with the NPO not using its funding properly.
KZN has numerous homes, old age homes, children’s homes, shelters and safe houses run by NPOs that are not paying staff and not providing meals or proper living conditions to those under their care. These are the most vulnerable members of society, yet they are being exploited at the very hands of those who are supposed to care for them. The DA will continue to conduct oversight of government funded NPOs to ensure that funds are spent accordingly.
The DA believes that women, children, disabled and disadvantaged people deserve to live in dignified and healthy environments where cleanliness, good health and nutrition are of utmost priority. To improve the lives of all KZN’s citizens government needs to ensure that clean governance and accountability are consistently maintained. Despite the many rights we have as citizens the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and abuse remains a scourge within society. Women, children and the elderly continue to be victims of violence, abuse and neglect.
Budget spent on the empowerment of these vulnerable groups is budget well spent. However, we need to ensure that these programmes are aimed at empowering individuals to overcome their struggles and ultimately become independent of government aid. The scourge of alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, poverty and other social ills are a priority for the DA and its GPU partners.
After more than 30 years of democracy, children are still being raped and abused by those who are supposed to protect them. The story of Cwecwe, a seven-year-old child whose innocence was stolen in a place that should have kept her safe, is a painful example of this. Her story is not just the tragedy of one child; it demonstrates a disturbing collapse in the very fabric of our society – a warning sign that systems meant to protect and nurture the vulnerable are broken. Young girls and boys are still being raped and abused at school and at home by predators in our society.
KZN’s elderly citizens deserve the utmost respect and to live peaceful and dignified lives. Many have overcome significant obstacles and challenges in order to make a difference in the lives of younger generations. It is their time to live without stress and troubles however, they too are suffering at the hands of abuse, neglect and poverty.
KZN’s women are also still not safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods with many living in fear of speaking out for fear of being victimised or abused by their partners. Children helplessly watching their mothers being raped and abused by their partners, believing that this is acceptable behaviour, need support and protection. This vicious cycle of abuse needs to be stopped. It is time for every individual to speak up and support those who suffer at the hands of abusers. It is time for society to protect our children from the scourge of domestic violence in their homes and communities.
The stigma around the LGBTIQ community needs to be eradicated. This community must be supported and protected from persecution based simply on sexual orientation or gender identity. As partners within KZN’s GPU, the DA is committed to ensuring that the LGBTIQ community is protected from harm, discrimination and from violence.
As provincial government, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Every day that the cracks in our society are ignored is another day that more lives are shattered. It is time to fix what has broken. It is time to ensure that no child, no woman, no person in our province ever lives in fear again.
KZN is on the road to recovery. The DA, as part of the GPU, will continue to ensure that this partnership strengthens in order to rectify our province’s societal weaknesses, so that our people can be safe and free. We stand firm in its commitment to KZN’s people. We will not allow politics to distract us from our mission to improve the lives of all KZN’s citizens and to ultimately rescue our beautiful province.