The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu on Friday, 19 April lead a community outreach programme in the Buffalo City Metropolitan area, Eastern Cape.
Minister Zulu will commence the outreach programme by handing over a mobile office facility to Ihlumelo Foundation, a youth organisation based in Duncan Village that provides a safe, enabling and stimulating environment for learners after school whilst their parents are still at work.
Learners are assisted with homework, get support with school projects and have a meal before going home. Ihlumelo Foundation also renders edutainment and prevention programmes focusing on alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence. The facility was donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to enable Ihlumelo Foundation to reach more children in the area.
As part of the outreach programme, Minister Zulu will handover Ncera Information Resource Centre, bore hole, water storage tanks and a solar-powered water pump donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The centre comprises of a community library donated by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and laptops sponsored by MTN Foundation, all of which will be used by surrounding villages.
During the public engagement programme, Minister Zulu will hand over a cheque from the National Development Agency (NDA), an entity of the Department of Social Development to Isithembiso Multi-Purpose Organisation, a local NPO to support its women-led agricultural and sustainable livelihoods projects.
Also participating in the outreach programme will be the Eastern Cape MEC of Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, Ntombovuyo Nkopane and the Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Municipality, Cllr Princess Faku who will be donating a boxing ring to the local boxing club.
The Ministerial visit will include a community engagement with local community members. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the official handover ceremony scheduled as follows:
HANDOVER OF MOBILE OFFICE FACILITY TO IHLUMELO FOUNDATION
Date: Friday, 19 April 2024
Time: 09h00-10h30
Venue: Apostolic Faith Mission Church, Duncan Village, Ward 6 Buffalo City Municipality
HANDOVER OF NCERA INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTRE, BOREHOLE AND COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Date: Friday, 19 April 2024
Time: 11h00-13h00
Venue: Ncera Information Resource Centre, Ncera Village 6, Ward 31 Buffalo City Municipality
Media RSVPs may be directed to Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849/ e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 /e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067/e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
