The lack of organisational skills and human resources at local non-profit organisations (NPOs) is becoming apparent as more and more NPOs are being registered in Cape Town.
Many others are closing down due to lack of funding.
According to Charlene Miles, founder and executive director at Nostop, a Kraaifontein-based NPO, the national NPO register currently lists 228 822 NPOs, of which 23 498 are in the Western Cape.
Nationally, 58% of the NPOs were non-compliant, while the figure for the Western Cape was even higher at 60,30%.
“NPO registration has many benefits and that makes it crucial. Once registered, NPOs are eligible to receive grants or donor-funding and it is also easier for charity organisations to receive tax exemption,” she says. However, in her opinion too many NPOs that registered since the coalface of the Covid-19 response to provide relief services are in it for the wrong reasons.
“To manage an NPO is challenging, particularly amid a struggling economy and a number of NPOs have since closed down due to a lack of funding and leadership,” she says.
Training workshop
To address this lack Nostop in collaboration with YoungPeople@Work initiated a leadership training workshop for members of the Food Relief Alliance of South Africa (Frasa) hosted at Parow Library last week. Ten members completed the course with another 30 scheduled for February.
“Many new NPOs do not have the necessary capabilities to manage their organisations and human resources which is an important asset for an organisation,” says Miles.
During the course participants were assisted with basic knowledge of human resources, administration and book keeping, as well as identifying strengths and weaknesses.
“As many of us know, human resources is not something taken seriously in NPOs. We realize that there is a real need to empower our leaders because not having the necessary processes and policies in place can have serious consequences since it deals with how we recruit, select, appoint, place, induct and develop people in our organisation and understanding the laws governing employment conditions and how to apply them,” she says.
Director of Frasa Frank Julie adds, “Organisations rise or fall based on the quality of your people making human resources a vital component.”
For any enquiries to access these opportunities please contact
- Charlene Miles on 064 994 8925 or info@cyrom.co.za.
