World NGO Day: Western Cape DSD honours NGOs with Action – Not Just Words
Today on World NGO Day we wish to thank all the organisations that contribute to the betterment of society.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development supports 1072 organisations across the province in different social service sectors like Child Protection, Substance Use Disorder support, Victim Empowerment (Gender-Based Violence prevention and support services), Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Youth Development, and Humanitarian Relief (food).
The Department allocated R1.138 billion in transfer funding to these organisations in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said, “Our partner NGOs and NPOs strengthen the hand of the Department, by increasing our footprint across the province so that services may reach the most vulnerable in society. As government, we cannot address social ills on our own, partners like NGOs and NPOs are vital to reaching more vulnerable residents.”
This week, Minister Londt visited several organisations in the Garden Route that are funded by DSD.
Amy Kearns from Creative Community Development Project, an NPO that supports older persons, said, “NGOs reach vulnerable people – like the elderly – that government cannot always reach. We provide them with meals, self-care and awareness programmes, thus helping relieve pressure on the government.”
Roslynn Damons is a Parenting Manager & Trainer at Seven Passes Initiative, an organisations that offers after-school programmes as well as violence prevention programmes for parents and children. Damons said community-based organisations have a distinct advantage, “Government cannot always reach all the rural areas like ours. We are based in these communities. We see families who are at-risk and we have a more trusting relationship with the people in the communities we serve.”
Minister Londt added, “We believe strongly in the role of NGOs and NPOs in making a positive difference to society. We honour these organisations not just in words - but with action. We provide transfer funding ahead of time, in contrast to provinces elsewhere in the country where NGOs do not even get their funding.”
“This is also why we established the Cape Care Fund in partnership with The Health Foundation South Africa. The Cape Care Fund has mobilised R400 000 in just six months, for the benefit of various organisations that serve the vulnerable. We encourage the private sector to support this initiative, to bolster the resilience of more credible, registered, and vetted organisations in the Western Cape.”
To learn more about how you can assist organisations through the Cape Care Fund, please visit: https://capecarefund.org.za/
Media Enquiries
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Jaco Londt
Department of Social Development
Email: Monique.Mortlock@westerncape.gov.za