In the build-up to the last State of the Nation Address under the sixth administration, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu will conduct an outreach programme focusing on teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, youth, women and persons with disabilities in and around the City of Cape Town. 

Minister Zulu will commence the outreach programme by visiting Cape Town Society for the Blind, a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) focusing on training and skills development for the blind and visually impaired persons. Minister Zulu visited the NGO last week with the Ambassador of Turkey to hand over a renovated basket workshop. 

The centre’s Low Vision Clinic and Braille programmes were supported by the National Development Agency, an entity of the Department of Social Development. Through the Low Vision Clinic, the NPO has and continues to render free vision eye health care and screening to poor and vulnerable members of society with eyesight problems—giving the gift of sight to those who cannot afford it. 

Minister Zulu will wrap up the first day of her outreach programme by visiting Sozo Foundation, a local NPO based in the Cape Flats that renders youth development programmes, focusing on young people who are not in education, employment or training. This is done by creating pathways to skills development and youth-led enterprises to address high rates of school dropout, gangsterism and youth unemployment in the area. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the pre-SoNA Ministerial outreach programme planned as follows: 

VISIT TO CAPE TOWN SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND 

Date:            Monday, 5 February 2024

Venue:          Cape Town Society for the Blind, 45 Salt River Rd, Salt River

Time:            11:00-12:30

VISIT TO SOZO FOUNDATION

Date:            Monday, 05 February 2024

Time:            14h00-15h00

Venue:          Vrygrond, Cape Town

Media RSVPs may be directed to Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Warm regards,

Internal Communication