Over 120 NGOs face possible deregistration
Namibia National Commission for UNESCO also affected
Government says many organisations have failed to submit annual reports and financial statements as required by law.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has issued a 30-day ultimatum to 126 welfare organisations to contact the its directorate of social services or face deregistration.
Acting director Helen Mouton explained that failure to comply could result in the organisations being declared illegal under the National Welfare Act (Act No. 79 of 1965).
In a full-page advertisement published yesterday in a local daily, the ministry called on organioations such as the Michelle McLean Children’s Fund, Lions Club Alte Feste, Hope Foundation, and the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO to urgently update their contact information.
Other organisations listed in the advertisement include the Aids Care Trust in Namibia, the Change of Lifestyle Home Project (COLS), the Swapo Veterans Trust, and the Hospice of Hope. Additional organizations that need to get in touch include the Gibeon Youth Welfare Organisation, Witvlei Care and Rehabilitation Centre, Mondesa Welfare Project, Kavango Bridges of Hope, Gam Development Organisation, Groot-Aub Community Development, and Plekkie in die Son.
Compliance challenges
Mouton revealed that many organisations have failed to submit annual reports and financial statements as required by law. “Some organisations have not updated their details with us for years, even though they are legally obliged to do so,” she said.
The ministry’s database includes 469 registered welfare organisations, but Mouton estimates that only 40% are operational. She explained that many have only a registration certificate on file, and letters sent annually are returned to sender, phone numbers go unanswered, and emails are ignored. According to Mouton, this advertisement serves as the ministry’s last attempt to make contact.
Legal implications
According to the National Welfare Act, the ministry can deregister an organisation after two years of no contact. Once deregistered and announced in the Government Gazette, the organisation may be declared illegal.
Addressing concerns
Mouton acknowledged that tighter financial reporting requirements have made the welfare sector more challenging in recent years. To support compliance, the ministry offers capacity-building initiatives to organizations that come forward.
She also noted a growing trend of welfare organisations registering with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) as non-profit entities or trusts with the High Court. The government aims to enhance oversight to combat money laundering and tax evasion while maintaining public trust in the sector.
“Our goal is to strike a balance. We must safeguard the public while ensuring transparency and accountability in the welfare sector,” Mouton emphasised.
Acting director Helen Mouton explained that failure to comply could result in the organisations being declared illegal under the National Welfare Act (Act No. 79 of 1965).
In a full-page advertisement published yesterday in a local daily, the ministry called on organioations such as the Michelle McLean Children’s Fund, Lions Club Alte Feste, Hope Foundation, and the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO to urgently update their contact information.
Other organisations listed in the advertisement include the Aids Care Trust in Namibia, the Change of Lifestyle Home Project (COLS), the Swapo Veterans Trust, and the Hospice of Hope. Additional organizations that need to get in touch include the Gibeon Youth Welfare Organisation, Witvlei Care and Rehabilitation Centre, Mondesa Welfare Project, Kavango Bridges of Hope, Gam Development Organisation, Groot-Aub Community Development, and Plekkie in die Son.
Compliance challenges
Mouton revealed that many organisations have failed to submit annual reports and financial statements as required by law. “Some organisations have not updated their details with us for years, even though they are legally obliged to do so,” she said.
The ministry’s database includes 469 registered welfare organisations, but Mouton estimates that only 40% are operational. She explained that many have only a registration certificate on file, and letters sent annually are returned to sender, phone numbers go unanswered, and emails are ignored. According to Mouton, this advertisement serves as the ministry’s last attempt to make contact.
Legal implications
According to the National Welfare Act, the ministry can deregister an organisation after two years of no contact. Once deregistered and announced in the Government Gazette, the organisation may be declared illegal.
Addressing concerns
Mouton acknowledged that tighter financial reporting requirements have made the welfare sector more challenging in recent years. To support compliance, the ministry offers capacity-building initiatives to organizations that come forward.
She also noted a growing trend of welfare organisations registering with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) as non-profit entities or trusts with the High Court. The government aims to enhance oversight to combat money laundering and tax evasion while maintaining public trust in the sector.
“Our goal is to strike a balance. We must safeguard the public while ensuring transparency and accountability in the welfare sector,” Mouton emphasised.
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