Last chance for NPOs to stay registered

Whatever the work that your NPO does, and whether it is funded or unfunded, you have to submit your annual reports - or risk being deregistered. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

The call is directed at NPOs that were registered with the department between 1997 and 2012, and have not previously submitted their annual reports to the department, as required by the NPO Act.

This applies to all NPOs, whether funded or unfunded, registered under the NPO Act.

This follows the extension given by the Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini in January 2013 after 36,428 NPOs were deregistered between August and December 2012 for failure to comply with the NPO Act by submitting annual reports.

Following the deregistration of the NPOs in 2012, Minister Dlamini held a meeting in January last year with the Ministerial Task Team on Non-Profit Organisations to discuss administrative matters relating to the NPO sector, the registration status of NPOs, and also reach an agreement on the way forward.

The task team comprises representatives of government, civil society organisations, business and other entities such as the National Lotteries Board and the South African Revenue Services. It was established in August 2012 following the declaration of the NPO Summit, with the view to ensure formal, regular and inclusive dialogue between government and the NPO sector, and to address the challenges confronting the sector.

NPOs can visit www.dsd.gov.za/npo to submit their annual reports or they can call any of the following numbers: 012 312 7013, 012 312 7273, 012 312 7618, 012 312 7682, 012 312 7741 or 012 312 7748.

A list of non-compliant NPOs is available on the department's website and will be updated monthly.