By Staff Writer.

• Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mr M.G.E. Hendricks, led the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (iCROP) in Macassar, Western Cape, on 31 October 2025, to improve access to government services.
• The outreach, held in collaboration with SASSA, Home Affairs, Health and other partners, aimed to reduce service barriers and strengthen engagement between communities and government.
• The initiative formed part of the District Development Model (DDM), which promotes integrated planning and people-centred service delivery.

The Department of Social Development (DSD), led by Deputy Minister M.G.E. Hendricks, brought vital government services directly to residents of Macassar through the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (iCROP). The event, held at Macassar District Hall, formed part of a broader national drive to ensure that essential services reach communities where they live.

Deputy Minister Hendricks said the outreach reflected government’s commitment to breaking down barriers between departments and the people they serve. “This initiative was designed to reduce the walls that separate communities from government. Instead of residents travelling long distances to access documents or services, government has come to them,” he said.

The iCROP outreach enabled residents to access key government services under one roof, including social grant applications, identity documents, birth and marriage certificates, and health screenings. The Deputy Minister was joined by SASSA Western Cape Regional Executive Manager Mr G. Pheiffer, iCROP Team Leader Mr S. Koliti, and representatives from local government and civil society organisations.

In his address, Deputy Minister Hendricks reflected on the historic and cultural significance of Macassar, home to a diverse and resilient community rooted in the legacy of Shaykh Yusuf Al-Makassari, who laid the foundations of the local Muslim community in the 17th century. He noted that the area, with its population of around 34 000 residents, continues to face socio-economic challenges, including high unemployment and low matric completion rates.

“Many of our communities, including Macassar, face serious obstacles such as job scarcity and limited access to education. Our role as the Department of Social Development is to help transform these conditions by creating opportunities and facilitating access to essential services,” he said.

The Deputy Minister also emphasised the importance of education and skills development for the youth. He encouraged parents to ensure that children acquire both language and professional skills to enhance employability. “It is important that your children become fluent in English and Xhosa to improve their chances of finding decent jobs and contributing to their communities,” he said.

Mr Hendricks thanked the dedicated DSD and SASSA teams for coordinating the outreach, acknowledging their work in collaboration with the Western Cape provincial office and national directorates. He also praised the programme’s integrated approach under the District Development Model, which unites government departments in delivering shared, people-centred outcomes.

“Through iCROP, we are not only providing services, but also engaging in dialogue that allows communities to voice their needs and help shape service delivery priorities,” he said.

The outreach concluded with a strong message of partnership and empowerment, reinforcing the Department’s goal of building inclusive communities where citizens have equal access to opportunities and support.

By Staff Writer.

• Led by the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, various spheres of government visited the North West province to bring social development services closer to the local people through the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme.
• The outreach programme was a demonstration of what could be achieved when the three spheres of government come together.
• The minister was accompanied by the MEC for Social Development, Suzanne Dantjie, the Department of Social Development’s Director-General, Peter Netshipale, and the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Themba Matlou, as well as representatives from the municipality.

The Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, today led a ministerial outreach programme in Vryburg, North West, to “put herself in the shoes of” the Department of Social Development’s beneficiaries.

The minister’s visit to the Naledi district was to assess the needs of the community as well as the Department of Social Development interventions. The outreach visit was part of the department’s efforts to close Social Development Month, reaffirming the government’s commitment to taking services to where people live.

“This is indeed cooperative governance in action as envisaged in our Constitution,” Minister Tolashe said, adding that the programme was a show of strength and a practical demonstration of what could be achieved when the three spheres of government come together under the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP).

The minister was accompanied by the MEC for Social Development, Suzanne Dantjie, the Department of Social Development’s Director-General, Peter Netshipale, the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Themba Matlou, and representatives from the local municipality.

Residents of Vryburg and surrounding areas came out in large numbers to access critical services from the department, SASSA, and other partners.

She noted that Huhudi – one of the areas visited – was named after Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, one of the stalwarts of the country’s struggle for liberation for freedom and for women. “Mama Ruth was a true ad selfless leader whose contribution to the freedom and democracy we enjoy today shall never be forgotten.”

Mompati was born and bred in Huhudi, rising up through the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) to become a prominent leader during some of the country’s history-defining moments in its struggle for liberation struggle. She became a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL).

Along with Helen Joseph and Lillian Ngoyi, Mompati was among the founding members of the Federation of South African Women and one of the central figures in organising the historic 9 August 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria by over 20 000 women of all races. That show of force against the extension of the pass laws to women at the height of the apartheid regime, is today honoured and celebrated as the National Women’s Day.

Expressing gratitude at being able to be in the birth place of Mompati, Minister Tolashe said: “We remain intentional in ensuring that the people of Huhudi and surrounding areas, and people across the length and breadth of country are the beneficiaries of the fruits of freedom and democracy for which Mama Ruth and a generation of women leaders so gallantly fought.”

She emphasised: “We owe it to her to ensure that no child, no older person and a person with disability is left behind or suffer the indignity of poverty.”

Impact of SASSA in the district

SASSA invests more than R36-million in the Naledi Municipality every month. “This is huge investment by any measure that our government is making in this area and goes a long way to stimulate local economic development,” the minister said.

In addition, more than R300 000 was invested in Social Relief of Distress in the district. “I was pleased to learn that as part of the build-up activities for today’s programme, some families were profiled and have received the much-needed relief. This is but one of the many ways we seek to strengthen families.”

Impact of the National Development Agency

The National Development Agency (NDA) has spent more than R7-million in grant funding to community-based and civil society organisations involved in incoming-generating and sustainable livelihoods initiatives. These include fishing, vegetable gardens and baking projects.

The minister also assured the residents that the department had heard their complaints and concerns, adding that they were receiving the attention of the local leadership.

“However, there are several issues that concern me as a mother, grandmother and a leader in our country. I have no doubt these issues are of concern to Mama Ruth as well. Chief amongst these is the issue of substance abuse, the mushrooming of illegal shebeens and underage drinking. Some of these illegal shebeens are owned and operated by community members in our midst.”

Minister Tolashe was adamant that “Mama Ruth did not fight for freedom so that young people can drown themselves in alcohol”.

“How I so wish that we can transfer to the youth of today our activism during the liberation struggle, where we pulled together to close all the beer halls that were created by the regime to destroy our people.”

She told the executive mayor and councillors, “We need to productively engage our young people here in Huhudi and surrounding villages. We cannot allow alcohol and substance abuse to steal the future of our young people.”

Given what is know about the dangers of alcohol and its devastating socio-economic impact on society, it was time to have an honest national conversation to address the harmful use of alcohol.

“We cannot succeed in breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty if we do not confront alcohol-related challenges in our families and communities. Everybody here has a role to play.”

Everyone was aware there was a connection between substance abuse and crime, she added, calling on the municipality to use the law to close places that sell alcohol illegally.

Minister Tolashe also encouraged parents to talk to their children about reproductive health with the government. Children should go to health centers to get help to protect themselves when they are sexually active, she said, adding that men should wear condoms to protect women.

“We must not turn a blind eye when we see older men taking advantage of young vulnerable girls promising them money. That is statutory rape and must be reported to police and social workers. Young girls are not for sale!”

Minister Tolashe said: “We must not turn a blind eye to incidents of gender-based violence and the abuse of older persons when we see them in our families and neighbourhoods! The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must face the full might of the law.”

Service delivery

Minister Tolashe emphasised that concerns regarding Department of Social Development-related service delivery challenges, noting that both the national and provincial departments would work jointly to find solutions and interventions that respond to those concerns.

The leadership team expected feedback on the following issues:

• access to vital registrations such as IDs and birth certificates;
• healthcare services;
• services to older persons;
• library services; and
• the shortage of qualified teachers, which directly affects teaching and learning.

Online system for NPOs

The government team noted the important role of community-based organisations in providing services. “While they do so, it is important that they comply with the relevant prescripts that empower them to do this important work.”

The non-profit organisations (NPO) unit within the department also took part in the ICROP in Vryburg to assist local NPOs with registration and compliance-related matters.

“Early this week, the Financial Action Task Force removed South Africa from the grey list, partly because of the important work we have embarked on working jointly with the NPO sector,” Minister Tolashe said.

“We need to keep the momentum and build on what we have achieved so far. We cannot afford to backslide.”

The NPO online system is meant to simplify the registration and compliance process so local NPOs can focus on the important work of delivering services to the communities.

As part of the day’s activities, Minister Tolashe conducted an oversight visit to the Naledi SASSA Local Office, where she expressed satisfaction with the quality of service delivery and the dedication of frontline staff assisting beneficiaries.

She also joined a community walkabout at Huhudi Stadium, engaging directly with various stakeholders who showcased government services and supported residents with on-site assistance.

By Tholakele Makena and Thandeka Stampu.

• Minister of Social Development Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe led an Integrated Ministerial Outreach Programme in Vryburg, North West, bringing essential government services directly to residents.
• The initiative, held at Huhudi Stadium, formed part of the District Development Model (DDM), promoting collaboration and integrated service delivery across all spheres of government.
• Departments including Home Affairs, Health, SASSA and the NDA offered on-site support ranging from identity documents to social grants and health services.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, led an Integrated Ministerial Outreach Programme in Vryburg, North West, to bring essential government services closer to residents and strengthen social inclusion. The engagement was part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to improve access to services in communities facing high poverty and unemployment.

Held at Huhudi Stadium, the outreach formed part of the District Development Model (DDM), an initiative championed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to encourage coordinated planning and joint service delivery across government departments. Residents were able to access a variety of services under one roof, including assistance with identity documents, health screenings, social-grant applications and support for community projects.

The Naledi Local Municipality was selected for the outreach due to its socio-economic challenges. More than half of the population lives in poverty, with unemployment at 41.3 percent, affecting mostly young people. Despite these challenges, Naledi records the lowest poverty rate in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District at 57.3 percent, showing strong community resilience and the potential for transformation through coordinated interventions.

Minister Tolashe was joined by North West MEC for Social Development Ms Suzanne Dantjie, SASSA CEO Mr Themba Matlou, and DSD Director-General Mr Peter Netshipale. During her oversight visit to the local SASSA office, Minister Tolashe emphasised that the outreach was focused on delivering tangible outcomes. “This is not a talk show. The Social Development Portfolio is here to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said.

The Department of Social Development also introduced a new mobile application designed to make it easier for citizens to apply for and track the progress of their grant registrations, including older person’s grants, child-support grants, care-dependency grants and Social Relief of Distress (SRD). According to Acting Chief Director of the NPO Directorate Mr Luyanda Ngonyama, the innovation aims to reduce queues and travel distances for beneficiaries.

“We want to ensure that people no longer have to travel long distances or stand in long queues just to check the status of their registration,” he said.

Local leaders welcomed the outreach as an example of practical implementation of the District Development Model. Cllr Solly Matobo, Acting Executive Mayor of the Dr Ruth S. Mompati District Municipality, said the programme demonstrated how joint planning and shared resources can bring meaningful change to communities. “This joint approach strengthens service delivery and ensures that communities receive integrated support,” he said.

Community members expressed appreciation for the opportunity to access services close to home. Ms Onalerona Maiisa, a resident of Nelson Mandela Drive, said being able to apply for her identity document during the outreach was life-changing. “I am happy that the Minister brought the government departments closer to us. I hope that this time I will receive my ID and my children can benefit from SASSA support,” she said.

As the Department of Social Development concluded Social Development Month, the outreach at Huhudi Stadium reflected the theme of turning compassion into action, reaffirming government’s commitment to building a caring, inclusive society where no citizen is left behind.

Through initiatives such as this, the Department continues to strengthen its presence in communities, bridge the gap between government and citizens, and ensure that every South African has access to the support and services they deserve.

By Mthobisi Mbanjwa.

• KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, hosted learners from Bangamaya Primary School for an educational visit to the provincial legislature.
• The visit aimed to teach pupils about democracy, governance, and the role of the legislature in improving citizens’ lives.
• The experience inspired learners to dream beyond the classroom and see themselves as future leaders and change-makers.

It was no ordinary school day for the bright young pupils of Bangamaya Primary School when they visited the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature under the invitation of MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga.
With excitement and curiosity written across their faces, the pupils stepped into the historic chambers of the provincial legislature, where critical decisions that shape the lives of KwaZulu-Natal citizens are made every day.
Guided by officials, the learners toured various sections of the building, learning about the roles of Members of the Provincial Legislature, the importance of democracy, and how government departments work together to serve communities.
MEC Shinga took time to personally welcome the learners, encouraging them to dream big and to take their education seriously. She reminded them that leadership is open to those who are disciplined, dedicated, and driven to make a difference in their communities.
“You are the future leaders of our province,” said MEC Shinga. “It is important that you understand how governance works and why education is the key to transforming your lives and your communities.”
The visit offered more than just a lesson in governance, it was a spark of inspiration. Many of the young learners left the legislature with renewed ambition, imagining themselves one day returning not as visitors but as lawmakers, educators, or public servants contributing to the province’s growth.
The day ended with laughter, photographs, and heartfelt gratitude from both the learners and their teachers, marking a memorable moment in the Department’s ongoing efforts to nurture civic awareness and leadership among young people.