Aids Council And Health Officials Agree On Funding
By TEBELO TIMSE
Garden Route Reporter
NEGOTIATIONS have been held between the Knysna Aids Council and the Regional Southern Cape and Karoo Health department after the department cancelled funding to the council.
A top official has said the cancellation of funding came about because of a past miscommunication.
Health Department Regional Director Dr. Ranette Crous said the meeting had been very positive with both parties agreeing to move forward.
She said the department was very impressed with the council's community projects. "We met with the council's board and discussed a way forward. The department will have a follow-up meeting with the director of the council and discuss the specific details. "We did have problems and misunderstanding in the past which led to us canceling funds but we have resolved the financial situation amicably". She said the department had always been happy with how the council used the funding and never suspected financial mismanagement or corruption at any time. Crous said there was a technical problem in the way the council reported on their spending and that had led to the breakdown of the financial agreement. The department had sorted it out with the council, Crous said.
Knysna Aids council director Ms. Seela also agreed the meeting this week was very fruitful. She said the executive members of the council had invited the department, "We wanted them (the department) to see the work we do and see that it was impossible to fight HIV/AIDS alone without the department's help".
She said in the interests of transparency the council was going to post their audited financial statements on their website so everyone could see. "We are also going to have an open day for the community at the council where we will again invite the department to engage with people and hear their concerns about HIV/AID's as Knysna has the highest rate of infection in the Southern Cape".
Crous said: "Now we are entering into a new situation having resolved all our problems. We need NGO's such as the Aids Council which renders vital services to the community and we will help them financially where we can, depending on our budget".
As the only non-governmental organisation in Knysna that deals with HIV/AID's related issues, the council was battling to survive due to lack of funding.
The Council offers the organisation and running of HIV/AID's awareness and prevention workshops to businesses, schools, churches and government organisations. Other functions include hosting a survivors' support group, running a vegetable garden and soup kitchen, and operating a mother-to-child transmission awareness programme.
By TEBELO TIMSE
Garden Route Reporter
NEGOTIATIONS have been held between the Knysna Aids Council and the Regional Southern Cape and Karoo Health department after the department cancelled funding to the council.
A top official has said the cancellation of funding came about because of a past miscommunication.
Health Department Regional Director Dr. Ranette Crous said the meeting had been very positive with both parties agreeing to move forward.
She said the department was very impressed with the council's community projects. "We met with the council's board and discussed a way forward. The department will have a follow-up meeting with the director of the council and discuss the specific details. "We did have problems and misunderstanding in the past which led to us canceling funds but we have resolved the financial situation amicably". She said the department had always been happy with how the council used the funding and never suspected financial mismanagement or corruption at any time. Crous said there was a technical problem in the way the council reported on their spending and that had led to the breakdown of the financial agreement. The department had sorted it out with the council, Crous said.
Knysna Aids council director Ms. Seela also agreed the meeting this week was very fruitful. She said the executive members of the council had invited the department, "We wanted them (the department) to see the work we do and see that it was impossible to fight HIV/AIDS alone without the department's help".
She said in the interests of transparency the council was going to post their audited financial statements on their website so everyone could see. "We are also going to have an open day for the community at the council where we will again invite the department to engage with people and hear their concerns about HIV/AID's as Knysna has the highest rate of infection in the Southern Cape".
Crous said: "Now we are entering into a new situation having resolved all our problems. We need NGO's such as the Aids Council which renders vital services to the community and we will help them financially where we can, depending on our budget".
As the only non-governmental organisation in Knysna that deals with HIV/AID's related issues, the council was battling to survive due to lack of funding.
The Council offers the organisation and running of HIV/AID's awareness and prevention workshops to businesses, schools, churches and government organisations. Other functions include hosting a survivors' support group, running a vegetable garden and soup kitchen, and operating a mother-to-child transmission awareness programme.