The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is disbursing nearly R4-million in grant funding to community-based organisations for projects to fight HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB).

The funding is allocated by the Western Cape Government in terms of the Global Fund Agreement and is specifically earmarked for projects linked to HIV/Aids and TB. City Health decides who the grant recipients are based on a list of criteria. 

For this year, R3 953 000 has been allocated to City Health. A total of 43 community organisations have been selected to receive funding for 55 projects. This includes HIV awareness and trauma counselling, skills training to alleviate unemployment, establishing food gardens for people living with HIV/Aids and TB, running aftercare programmes, and offering safe houses for vulnerable individuals. Grant allocations range from just under R20 000 to R185 000 per organisation, based on the proposals submitted. 

“HIV/Aids and TB remain two of our biggest challenges and while we have devoted significant resources to fighting these diseases, we cannot do it alone. That is why we have created these opportunities for established community-based organisations to access funding and do their bit in creating awareness, but also empowering people living with the diseases. Many of these organisations are in a position to provide the type of services that may not be readily available or offered by government, but often lack the funds to deliver these services. Ultimately, it is a win-win situation: we are making progress possible, together,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli. 

In terms of the agreement with the Western Cape Government, the City must invite organisations participating in the multi-sectoral action team (MSAT) to submit proposals for projects in identified focus areas such as the promotion of food security, community-based emergency accommodation, short-term placement of children, job creation and income generation, women empowerment and men’s health. 

The relevant MSATs and the City separately evaluate every project proposal, with the City taking into account the MSAT recommendations when making its final decision. 

The funds are disbursed and managed in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the City of Cape Town's Allocation of Grants Policy. In addition, the City Health Directorate concludes memorandums of agreement with the organisations in consultation with the City’s Legal Services Department. 

During the previous financial year, 53 projects benefited from a total allocation of R3 731 000. 

“We keep a very close eye on the projects that do receive funding because ultimately this is public money and we have to ensure that the organisations to which we allocate funding account for the spending and achieve the stated objectives. On the one hand it is about ensuring good governance, but on the other it is also about ensuring that the money gets to those who need it most and contributes to our overall efforts to fight HIV/Aids and TB,” added Councillor Mamkeli. 

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