New social workers welcomed
164 social workers will join the department and 24 new vehicles were handed over.
POLOKWANE – The hand over was done by acting MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, to districts by the Department of Social Development.
The handover was done during a celebratory event at the Polokwane Welfare Complex last Monday.
Ramathuba said she promised during the budget speech the department will increase its footprint during this financial year, and plans to live up to this slogan. “We aim not only to increase our footprints but also to leave our footprints, a lasting legacy, in the province where people continue to be in dire need of quality services,” she said.
In welcoming the guests, Social Development HOD, Daphney Ramakgopa, called on her colleagues to talk less and showcase more of their mandate, to provide for and develop communities on the ground and to commit to ensure that relevant resources of the department are provided to communities.
She said 204 social worker interns will be added to the staff component in June, additional to the social workers welcomed into the department.
She admitted the social workers faced a rough working environment, but asked them to serve the communities and focus on their calling to improve their situation and walk the extra mile.
Ramathuba added almost 2,5 million people, more than half of the province’s population, are dependent on grants.
The department already received 37 vehicles last year and the additional 24 vehicles, she added, are reason to celebrate.
She said being a social worker is not about the money but about being given an opportunity to serve and to deal with vulnerable people who often wonder where their next meal is coming from. She said around 6,5% of children in the province suffers from malnutrition. S
“Social workers must teach mothers receiving grants how to utilise it and not to spend it on gambling, for instance,” she said.
She cautioned social workers to uphold ethics and be at work on time and respect their seniors. Vehicles were supplied for official purposes, as working tools and not to buy groceries with, she added, and vehicles must be looked after.
