Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu, has praised the Union of Jewish Women, for their contribution in the fight against poverty. This follows an announcement by the union that this year it will partner with Dischem pharmacy to provide soup to more than 11 000 people some of whom are on antiretroviral medication.
The project which is run from the Hillbrow Community Health Care Centre in Johannesburg has been in existence for the past 50 years. Mahlangu says this initiative demonstrates a working partnership between government and the private sector.
“We would like to applaud this meaningful programme, community based cooperative projects such as this are on the frontline of turning the tide against suffering and will lead the way in building a brighter future for all South Africans,” said Mahlangu.
The MEC has called on business to join government in its effort to extract millions of people from poverty, saying government cannot do it alone.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Wendy Kahn
Cell: 082 444 3675
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 September 2009
