NEWCASTLE KZN: Municipality steps in to protect children in need
Ntokozo Disability Centre in Ward 12 caters for the needs of children with severe to profound disabilities.
Earlier this month South Africans commemorated the 2021 Child Protection Week under the theme Let us all protect children during Covid-19 and beyond.
According to Mlungisi Khumalo, Head of Communications for the Newcastle Municipality, Deputy Mayor Reuben Molelekoa used this time to make a substantial donation to a local handicap centre.
“Through the Special Programmes Unit, Cllr Molelekoa donated much-needed foam mattresses to the Ntokozo Disability Care Centre, in Ward 12, on June 9,” explained Khumalo.
Khumalo said Ntokozo Disability Centre caters for the needs of children with severe to profound disabilities and currently has 16 profoundly disabled children enrolled at the centre.
“Given the lack of resources, the facility works closely with the Department of Education (DoE) to facilitate educational programmes. In addition, the Department of Health (DoH) also makes monthly visits to the centre to assist with disability diagnostic assessments,” continued Khumalo.
Playing his part, Cllr Molelekoa brought in the Department of Social Development (DSD) after becoming aware of the challenges faced with running the facility.
Deputy Minister of DSD, Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu visited the centre earlier this month to conduct a compliance assessment as part of her duties in the Amajuba District and following this, the DSD granted the facility support in terms of the provision of balanced meals to ensure the nutrition of the children.
“The Deputy Minister alluded that there are plans in place to build a new disability facility that will service the whole of Newcastle,” revealed Khumalo.
Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba applauded the work being done at the centre, saying that educators at special schools should be applauded for their role as caregivers.
“What you do for these children is remarkable because not only do you look after their educational needs, but also their physical and mental health,” said Cllr Mahlaba.
During the 2021 Child Protection Week, the Special Programs Unit embarked on a 7-day awareness campaign across several schools within the district, focusing specifically on rural schools in Newcastle.
“This was an opportunity to raise awareness about the plight of children. The unit supplied 20 Oxford dictionaries, 20 maths sets and 20 Casio scientific calculators to each of the schools visited,” said Khumalo.
The following schools, Early Childhood Development (ECD) and foster homes were the beneficiaries of this campaign:
- Siyalungelwa High School
- Lincoln Heights Secondary School
- Muzikayise Primary School
- St Lewis High School
- Kwethu Primary School
- Morester Children’s home
- St Anthony’s
- Phaphama
- Ntokozo Disability Care Centre
- Siphe’kthula
“It is our hope that Child Protection Week will serve as a spark for the entire society to work together to guarantee the safety and health of our most vulnerable citizens,” concluded Khumalo.
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