21 March 2006
Human Rights Day celebrations today brought not only hope but a promise for
an identity document for 69âyear-old Margaret Molekwa of Cyferskuil, near
Hammanskraal.
Premier Edna Molewa, joined by MECs Jerry Thibedi, Mandlenkosi Mayisela and
Moretele Local Municipal Mayor Asnath Molekwa, made house visits in Cyferskuil
as part of the programme to celebrate Human Rights Day.
Margaret Molekwa has never in her 69 years possessed an identity document.
This meant she could not access social grants available to people her age. The
elderly woman has 11 children, all of whom are unemployed except for one who
works as a domestic worker. She is the only breadwinner.
This big family lives in a small shack and that prompted Molewa to urge the
Department of Local Government and Housing to provide proper shelter for the
family as she will monitor progress she said.
Officials from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Social
Development and Home Affairs, who accompanied the Premier and her entourage to
the homes, were at hand to register Molekwa. She was promised she would receive
her new identity document within a month. Meanwhile a relief grant will be paid
while her application for a social grant is being processed.
Another family that benefited from the Premier's visit is that of a blind
63âyear-old widower Jonas Mosetlha. His 16-year-old daughter Anna dropped out
of school to care for her father and siblings who are still young for formal
schooling. Although Mosetlha receives a social grant, he needs assistance to
lead a normal life.
According to Molewa, foster parenting could ease the hardships of this
family. "It is unhealthy for a 16-year-old not to attend school and even sad
when it is not by choice," said Premier Molewa.
The Department of Social Development will look into the matter and find
proper solutions for the family promised Molewa.
Earlier at Swaraganang Primary School in Cyferskuil where the provincial
Human Rights Day celebrations were held, a crowd of about 6 000 had gathered.
In her speech Molewa said millions of people's lives have been transformed for
the better, eradicating apartheid's legacy of poverty and inequality, while
racism still needs years of united action in the national effort for faster and
shared growth.
"We commit ourselves to a national effort for accelerated and shared growth
that will make possible the achievement of our goals to halve poverty and
unemployment by 2014. We have no reason to think that we will not succeed," she
said.
"As we celebrate the progress human rights have brought and the recovery of
our dignity, let us rise to the challenge of a united action to speed up that
progress and build a national effort for faster and shared growth".
The huge crowds were after the formal programme treated to some
entertainment from popular South African musical groups including Malaika and
the foot stomping Solly Moholo and others.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Monama
Spokesperson - North West Provincial Government
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Russel Mamabolo
Media Relations Manager
Tel: (018) 387 3103
Cell: 082 900 6610
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
21 March 2006
