Joint Media Statement by the National Lotteries Board and Child Welfare South Africa

This is a joint media statement by the National Lotteries Board (NLB) and Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) relating to certain media comments made by Prof Vevek Ram, the CEO of NLB at a Parliamentary briefing.

In his briefing, Prof Ram expressed concern that applicants showed an increased dependence on funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). This was evidenced by a noticeable reduction in the number of funders featured in financial statements of applicants.

The NLB would like to inform the public and other role-players that no media attended the NLB presentation to the Parliamentary committee. Extracts from the recording of the briefing were then used by certain media to publish articles which did not provide a proper context or afford the NLB an opportunity to comment before publication of statements attributed to it.

The NLB recognises the valuable and essential services provided by welfare organisations, like CWSA, across South Africa that supplements the services of Government. The support of the NLDTF for organisations like CWSA, its affiliates and the more than 15 000 other NGOS funded by the NLDTF is important in delivering services to South Africans, especially the vulnerable.

Prof Alfred Nevhutanda, Chairperson of the NLB said, “The NLB recognises and accepts that we have a clear mandate under the Lotteries Act to make funds available to applicants who follow correct procedure and meet prescribed requirements. The Board also regrets the perception created in the media that CWSA is becoming more and more dependent on NLDTF funding and that it has “completely stopped all other fundraising.””

As a result of the NLB information-sharing roadshow across South Africa in 2010, the number of applications for funding has risen drastically. In the Charities sector alone, the number of applications has more than doubled from 4 000 in 2010 to more than 8 500 in 2011.

In 2010/11, the Charities sector allocated R1,7 billion to over 1 500 beneficiary organisations. The funds available for the Charities sector for 2011/2012 is R790 million.

Professor Dasarath Chetty, President of Child Welfare South Africa, said “Child Welfare South Africa values the role that the NLB plays in supporting development in South Africa and in tackling the complex social problems that we as a country face. Child welfare organisations across the country rely on donor funds to deliver statutory and other services. In the present economic climate it would be extremely difficult for CWSA’s 263 member organisations and outreach projects to continue to deliver quality service to the community without the financial support from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, a partnership that is directly in line with addressing national priorities.”

The NLB and CWSA emphasises their commitment to providing assistance and programmes to children in need.

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Issued by:

Aqula Creative Communications on behalf of National Lotteries Board and Child Welfare South Africa www.cwsa.org.za.

For any further information, interviews or photos contact:

Ms Charlotte de la Harpe on +2778 211 6701 or email: charlotte@aqula.co.za

Or Contact

Sershan Naidoo – Spokesperson of the National Lotteries Board 012 432 1303 or sershan@nlb.org.za

Ashley Theron - CWSA National Executive Director +2711 452 4110 or email ashleyt@childwelfaresa.org.za

NOTE TO EDITORS/REPORTERS

(1)

The NLDTF relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act and regulations guide the way in which NLDTF funding may be allocated.

The NLDTF wants the grants to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable, and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organisations.

Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts, culture and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLDTF contributes to South Africa’s development.

(2)

Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) is an umbrella body that represents 263 member organisations and outreach projects in communities throughout South Africa. Together with its member organisations, CWSA forms the largest non-profit, non-governmental organisation in the country in the fields of child protection, child care and family development.

The intention of CWSA is to benefit South Africa, through our endeavours to create a child-friendly society by lobbying for legislation that is child friendly and advocacy. Over 2 million children and their family members and / or caregivers receive services from CWSA affiliates, branches and developing children’s organisations countrywide. This number is growing.

CWSA’s programmes are centred on making South Africa a safer place for children. Some of the major CWSA programmes include the Asibavikele: Let’s Protect Them programme - a national programme that facilitates community based care and support to children orphaned and made vulnerable due to HIV and AIDS in disadvantaged communities. The programme involves and relies on communities to identify Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and establish foster care and safe homes in all nine provinces.

CWSA also runs the Isolabantwana: Eye on the Child programme - a community based child protection programme that advocates for the collaboration of communities and formal resources when protecting children against abuse, neglect and exploitation.

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