Gauteng Finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe has praised the non-governmental sector for assisting government in addressing issues such as violence against women and children, and substance abuse in communities.
“That is why we have committed more than R1 billion over the next three years to recruit additional social workers in the province, support the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector and also ensure the implementation of sector legislation. These funds have been allocated as follows: a total of R137.8 million in 2013/14, R392.8 million in 2014/15 and R625 million in 2015/16” MEC Nkomfe said.
Nkomfe was speaking to staff members of the Igugulethu Centre in Boksburg today where he was leading a delegation from the Gauteng Department of Finance and Gauteng Provincial Treasury in an outreach programme taking place as part of activities designed to celebrate the Nelson Mandela International Day.
Gugulethu Centre is one of the leading NGO’s the province focusing on addressing challenges that affects women, children and people with disabilities.
Nkomfe praised the centre for its sterling work in this regard and added it is linked to one of the top provincial government’s mandates which is strengthening interventions to address violence against women and children, and address substance abuse.
Staff from the two departments assisted the centre with day to day chores such as cleaning and looking after the children. Also the MEC presented the Igugulethu Centre with donations in a form of baby food, clothing, blankets and toys.
Currently the Gauteng Provincial Government works together with non-governmental organisations to ensure that over 40 000 vulnerable children attend school, have access to social grants, receive basic meals each day and have proper adult supervision. These children include, amongst others, orphans, those living with HIV/Aids and those running child-headed households.
“Organisations such as Igugulethu Centre need our support because they are indeed at the forefront of our effort to build a society that cares for the elderly and people with disabilities. A society committed to ensure that women are safe, secured and provided with opportunities to improve their lives. This is a society where children are provided with an environment that will enable them to succeed in school and grow healthy in life,” he said.
Nkomfe encouraged citizens of Gauteng to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time every day supporting local charities and places of safety. “Through this we will indeed live up to the call to “Take action; inspire change; make every day a Mandela Day” in line with the spirit of our former President”.
Enquiries:
John Sukazi
Tel: 011 355 2161
Cell: 083 772 4885
E-mail: john.sukazi@gauteng.gov.za
John Mgwenya
Tel: 011 689 4771
E-mail: john.mgwenya@gauteng.gov.za
