Central SA
Workshop caring for mentally challenged adults has to close─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:02 Tue, 11 Jul 2023
The Boitekong Protective Workshop, which provides care for about 40 persons with intellectual disabilities in Batho, Bloemfontein, will not continue operating after 31 July.
The closure of the workshop is due to a lack of funds and therefore the management cannot continue providing services to the community.
These individuals, who range in age from 18 to 50, won't have anywhere to go during the workday if the workshop closes.
A letter informed parents that the increased funds they negotiated the year prior were withdrawn by the Department of Social Development.
“We only received the annual R250 000, which does not cover our expenses, but last year Boitekong received an additional R200 000 from the department,” said Reverend Jannie Smith, chairperson of Southern Free State Mental Health.
About 40 persons with intellectual disabilities in Batho, Bloemfontein, won't have anywhere to go during the workday if the workshop closes. Photo: Joshua Grobbelaar
The parents try to contribute a small amount to the cost of transporting their children and that is what they can afford.
“If Boitekong closes it is the most vulnerable of the community that is left without services. And these people are often exploited if they are out in the community without the protection of systems and NGOs like us,” added Reverend Smith.
The spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, Thembile Nqabeni, said the department was not aware of the closure of the Boitekong Protective Workshop.
Nqabeni asked that Boitekong understand their situation and sign the memorandum of understanding. Photo: Joshua Grobbelaar
However, it has come to their attention that Boitekong has not signed the department’s memorandum of understanding due to the department’s inability to provide a top-up just like the previous year.
“Our reason for not providing a top-up is beyond our own control as the department, in this financial year we are currently in, experienced budget cuts which have an impact on all the organisations funded by the government,” said the department’s spokesperson.
Nqabeni asked that Boitekong understand their situation and sign the memorandum of understanding so they can receive the budgeted R250 000 and continue providing services to the Batho community.
