The government should increase its subsidy to Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) to prevent the exodus of social workers to overseas countries, CWSA CEO Ashley Theron said on Friday.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, Theron said CWSA was losing much-needed social workers because they could not afford to give them competitive salaries.
”As soon as [CWSA] has trained these social workers they leave after being lured by higher salaries in other countries and government.”
Theron said government could use money not spent by different departments after their financial years to increase subsidies to NGOs such as CWSA.
”It is not fair that we get such little funding when there’s a pool of money left unused.
”Yes, we acknowledge that [the] government is doing its best in giving social grants to children but we believe that they can do more as it is their co-responsibility to ensure that children are protected and cared for.”
Formerly known as the South African National Council for Children and Family Welfare, CWSA is an NGO that looks after children’s rights and safety.
It has more than 250 branches countrywide.
Theron, formerly Department of Social Development director, has just been appointed the new CEO of the organisation. He is the first black man to head the organisation.
Theron has also worked for United Nations Children’s Fund South Africa. — Sapa