Pretoria: The Minister of Social Development, Ms. Sisisi Tolashe, will on Friday, 23 May 2024, take the child protection month campaign to Manguzi, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The Minister is the champion of the District Development Model and will be raising awareness  on the plight of children in that area while bringing all services of the department and its agencies, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA)

KwaZulu-Natal has recorded 3 653 cases of abuse and neglect after the Western Cape and Gauteng. Umkhanyakude District Municipality is one of municipalities that are still battling with teenage pregnancy with a record of 11 deliveries for children between 10 - 14 years (January - March 2025)  and 741 births for those between 15 - 19 years during the same period.

The Minister will be bringing all services of the DSD, including substance abuse prevention, Non-Profit Organisation compliance, and SASSA, for application of all social grants.

The Minister will be accompanied by the Director-General of Social Development, Mr Peter Netshipale, the Acting CEO of SASSA, Mr Themba Matlou, and the Acting CEO of NDA, Mr Thabani Buthelezi

As the District Development Champion, Minister Tolashe will also meet with the traditional leadership in the area as partners in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Minister Tolashe also co-chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the 90-day acceleration to fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.