South Africa: The NPO National Office, in conjunction with Provincial and District, organised a 2 day workshop in Bethlehem Office.
The sole purpose of the workshop was to equip officials with the amendments on NPO compliance with reference to general laws concerning money laundering and combating financial terrorism.
Pherane, adressed the officials, emphasised the importance of every sector having information about these amendments because everyone is directly or indirectly affected by the laundering of finances in one way or the other.
Me. L. Msweni (NPO Director, National Office) gave the background on the Legislative changes in the General Laws Amendment Act. She further gave the implications of the amendments. “We, as the officials, are the facilitators of the acts, and we must ensure that organisations comply with SARS and all relevant bodies before we can register them as functional organisations”, she said.
She pointed out red tape that we come across, but she encouraged officials to do the right things despite all difficulties.
Me. Khutoane gave information on the submission of prescribed information. The application forms for NPOs have been amended to suit the new measures taken to upgrade the service.
Very intensive discussions were entered into by officials.
“We as Social Workers have gained a lot of information because we have always thought that NPO is for Community Developers only” said a Social Worker.
On the second day, the New Hall in Bohlokong was full to the brim with members from different organisations.
The correct filling of forms was emphasised and they were encouraged to be honest with the type of services that they render and ensure that they send correct and precise reports because if not, they might forfeit funding, which can lead to the closing down of their organisations.
Pherane closed off by thanking everyone and thanked mostly the presence of Social Workers and other sectors. “We need to work as a unit, because production is not the work of one sector but a collective of effort from all of us”, he said.