Non-government organisations (NGOs) say the clothing they received through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will make a huge difference to the people and communities they serve. However, they have been warned not to sell the clothes.  

On Thursday, KZN Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga, inspected the clothing donations which included t-shirts, shirts, pants, jeans, underwear and more. The inspection was conducted at a centre managed by the department in the Bluff, Durban South. 

Shinga warned NGOs receiving clothing to not sell it. 

“SARS has emphasised, and we are emphasising, that we will be disappointed if they go and sell this material. We don’t want that. They are for our homes. Other than that, they can distribute to the needy members of the community, but not reselling. That’s the last thing we want to see. We are emphasising that, as we distribute,” Shinga said. 

She said the department talks and emphasises partnerships, understanding that the government does not have the funds to cover everything and everywhere. 

Shinga explained that they received a call from SARS informing them of material that the department can use for NGOs and NPOs. 

“It’s something that is very important for us… different NPOs, those looking after the elderly, those looking after the children, those looking after the disabled, they benefit from this material that SARS has given the Department of Social Development,” Shinga said. 

She said there was a register for the organisations to sign for what is allocated for them. 

“As they distribute themselves, there will be a record that they keep, like we do here, of allocation that now and again we will visit and see how the distribution occurred,” Shinga explained. 

The MEC said they are trying to reach as many people as possible in the province. She said SARS cannot go to areas like King Cetshwayo and uMkhanyakude, but the department has a plan for delivery to those areas.

Shinga said it is mainly clothing. She expressed concern about the possibility of perishable goods. 

“I have strictly communicated that message, so it’s strictly clothing.

“But they have told us that if we open a pack or a box and we find something perishable, or even a cellphone or a laptop, our staff is responsible to say those must be put aside and be returned to SARS,” Shinga said. 

Sibusisiwe Clermont Child Welfare social work supervisor, Muhle Ngcobo, said: “We are very happy. These make a huge difference because we are low on donations. Any kind of clothing will help.” 

She said they received the message about distributing clothes on Wednesday. 

Sibusisiwe Clermont Child Welfare is a social welfare centre. 

Ngcobo said new applicants do not have food and the process is long. 

Nokukhanya Shange of Samaritan Care Centre said: “I feel excited. The grannies were very excited and very happy when I came back yesterday (Wednesday) to the centre with clothes. They actually wanted more.” 

Shange said some grannies do not have families, so they have to ensure they get necessities like clothing. 

“Being here is helping them a lot, in terms of clothes. So this project really helped us,” Shange said. 

Samaritan Care Centre is a home to the elderly. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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