This year marks ten years since the inception of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). SASSA is an entity of the Department of Social Development entity, established in terms of the Social Security Act 13 of 2004 which currently provides social grants to more than Seventeen Million poor South Africans.
As part of SASSA Beneficiary Education; the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will use this opportunity to spread government’s festive season message to residents of Kuruman.
It is during the festive season that many people abuse alcohol and drugs which results in irresponsible behaviour such as abuse of vulnerable groups, in particular, women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
All citizens are encouraged to take necessary precautions to have a safer holiday experience. Parents and guardians must ensure the safety of our children and always be aware of their movements. Everyone must play their part to build a safer society as directed by the National Development Plan.
The Department of Social Development and its agencies will be hard at work across the country over the festive season to prevent the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children.
Incidents of gender based violence are also high during the festive season. The Department of Social Development established the Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) to provide professional trauma counselling support to victims of gender based violence.
The GBV Command Centre is a 24-hour toll free call centre which can be reached on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV).
Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone. South Africans are encouraged to use the GBV Command Centre during the festive season which will also be available immediately to provide counselling and support to parents and learners after release of matric results.
Community dialogues between the Department Social Development and Kuruman community revealed that alcohol and drug abuse, misuse of social grants and abuse of older persons are said to be amongst the burning issues which must be addressed.
On the same day; Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will preside over Early Child Hood Development (ECD) centre graduations in Mpumalanga. ECD centres are a public good and to date; more than 1 696 780 children in the country have access to ECD services.
Hlayisani Centre of Hope is a home to 144 orphaned and vulnerable children who survive through government’s Child Support Grants. Some of these children are survivors of abuse and gender-based violence.
Together we can build a society where everybody feels free; where everyone embraces their full potential; and is proud to be part of a safe community that cares.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the events planned as follows:
Minister's, programme
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Time: 12h00
Venue: Lebang Primary School Sports Ground in Kuruman – Northern Cape Province
Deputy Minister's, programme
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Time: 11h00
Venue: Hlayisani Centre of Hope, Gutshwa Village – Mpumalanga Province
Members of the media can RSVP by contacting:
Justice Malapane
Cell: 079 4977 426
E-mail: JusticeD@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries may be forwarded to:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
