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.
