Minister Dlamini to address socio-economic challenges facing Kwa Langa and Vhalalla Park Communities
The Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will visit the communities of KwaLanga and Vhalalla Park in the Western Cape province to listen to their concerns. The Ministerial engagements will serve as a platform for the two communities to directly speak with the Minister about concerns and challenges they are faced with.
The department has conducted community dialogues as a precursor to the Minister’s visit in order to come to terms with the social challenges facing the communities. Issues coming out of these dialogues include high rate of teenage pregnancy, abuse of alcohol and drugs, poverty, unemployment (especially youth unemployment), gangsterism, disintegrated families and issues around the protection of children. The Minister is expected to respond directly to these challenges.
The community engagements form part of Project Mikondzo, a Social Development service delivery improvement initiative launched in September last year to enable the department to respond quicker and more innovatively to challenges faced by poor communities.
In the Western Cape, Project Mikondzo has already visited Athlone, Khayelitsha, Wynberg, Eersterivier, Gugulethu, Mitchelsplein, Worcester, Caledon, Vredenberg, Oudtshoorn, Beaufort West and George. People from these communities have been educated by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) on the type of social grants available, and those who qualify assisted to apply for them.
The National Development Agency (NDA) is also working on the implementation of development projects and strengthening the institutional capacity of community based organisations operating in the area to contribute towards fighting poverty. Grant funding will also be made available through the NDA for early childhood development, food security projects as well as income generation projects.
Members of the media are invited to attend both events which will take place as follows:
KwaLanga
Date: 25 February 2014
Venue: KwaLanga Sports Grounds
Time: 11h00
Vhalalla Park
Date: 27 February 2014
Venue: Bishop Lavis Sports Ground
Time: 13h00
Media RSVPs may be directed to Mr Jaconia Kobue on 073 026 1111.
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
