Epworth Children’s Home forced to close after 105 years of service due to a lack of funding

04 April 2024

The Gauteng Department of Social Development's (DSD) reckless funding approach has had a devastating impact on the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) sector. The Epworth Children's Home, a beacon of hope for neglected children for over a century, is the most recent casualty of the department’s thoughtless actions as the NPO is forced to shut its doors on 31 May 2024. This closure marks the end of an era for an institution that has provided a loving home, accommodation, meals, and education facilities to over 80 vulnerable children.

Despite tireless efforts to sustain its operations, Epworth Children’s Home in Germiston has finally succumbed to numerous challenges in obtaining critical funding as a result of the DSD’s irresponsible tactics.

The DA has warned the department for over a year that this is a possible outcome of their relentless purging of NPOs without considering the consequences of this on the vulnerable who will be left out on the streets. It is now clear that our warning fell on deaf ears.

According to Epworth Children Home, the closure represents the breakdown of support structures for some of the most vulnerable children. Epworth has tried every avenue to collaborate with the DSD to ensure funding continuity, but their efforts have been in vain.

The plight of Epworth Children’s Home, which indicates a broader crisis facing the NPO sector in Gauteng and beyond, is cause for concern. Many organisations, like Epworth, go above and beyond to fill the gaps where government services fall short. Yet, they find themselves increasingly unsupported and unable to sustain their vital work due to bureaucratic red tape and funding uncertainties.

We regret the closure of this NPO and others and again urge DSD to stop the impending doom caused by the uncertainty of funding meant to support NPOs working to offer essential services to our society's poor and vulnerable. If this trend continues, we risk losing invaluable resources that complement government efforts and address critical social needs. Without these NPOs closing the gaps left by the state, our social fabric itself may be at risk with the youth, women and the elderly abandoned to the overwhelming challenges of our country, particularly poverty and violence.

When in power, the DA will ensure that accredited NPOs receive maximum support for their selfless and critical work among our most vulnerable communities. This we will do because we understand that a caring government should always protect and uplift its most vulnerable residents.

Statement issued by Bronwynn Engelbrecht MPL, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Social Development, 4 April 2024