In celebration of the Nelson Mandela International Day and in the true spirit of building a caring society, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini will spend her time with vulnerable children at the Bophelong Drop-in-Centre (Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa complex) in Soshanguve, Tshwane.
The Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Minister Maria Ntuli, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Ms Virginia Petersen, officials from the Department of Social Development and other volunteers in Soshanguve and surrounding communities.
“As Nelson Mandela said, there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children”. As a department, our aim is to build on Mandela’s legacy by touching the lives of vulnerable children in a positive way” said Minister Dlamini.
“I call on all South Africans to take action to help the needy, poor and vulnerable members of our communities, Minister Dlamini added.
The Minister will spend the day at the centre doing laundry, painting and cleaning the facility. Officials from the Department have also donated toys and clothes which will be handed over to the children.
The Drop-in-Centre was started by the Institute of Primary Health to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in Soshanguve. The centre is registered as a non-profit organisation and renders services to 114 vulnerable children aged between 8-18 years.
As part of the activities, five poor families have been identified in the neighbourhood that will be visited and given food parcels and clothing items.
Members of the media are invited to attend and participate in this event.
The day’s activities will take place as follows:
Date: Monday 18 July 2011
Time: 10h00
Venue: Bophelong Drop-in Centre (Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa Complex), 318 Block S, Soshanguve
For RSVPs:
Abram Phahlamohlaka
Cell: 082 928 6590
Thapelo Sakoana
Cell: 082 420 7736
For media enquiries contact:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
