MEC reaches out to beneficiaries
GDSD provides appropriate social assistance to all those who are unable to support themselves and their dependents.
GAUTENG Department of Social Development (GDSD) MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza hosted a consultative engagement with NPOs and other government-funded organisations at Turffontein Racecourse from Tuesday, April 4, to Friday, April 7.
During the event the MEC introduced the new acting head of department (HOD), Makhukhu Mampuru, who takes over from Shoki Tshabalala, who took early retirement.
The GDSD met with role players to ensure their plans, in particular resource allocation, is in line with their needs.
On April 4, they spoke to children and older person’s sectors, on April 5 to NPOs/NGOs and faith-based organisations, on April 6 to the disability and youth sector and, on April 7 they engaged with women and the small, medium and micro enterprises sectors.
Challenges
Mayathula-Khoza said their greatest challenge is to eradicate hunger and poverty.
“We expect stakeholders to critique our ‘war on poverty programme’ and offer much more effective solutions.
“The other challenge is the growing abuse of substances which is ravaging our communities, especially the youth. “It is obvious government alone cannot win this war and these sessions are aimed at ensuring we strengthen the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“We are faced by equally troubling challenges with regards to the provision of Early Childhood Development education. Many centres are illegal and children are either abused or, worse, die at these centres. We want to make sure that all ECD centres are legal and take good care of our children.
“We also have a major responsibility to support people with disabilities. Our target is to achieve way above the two per cent employment and empowerment target. We would also like to make sure that more people with disabilities benefit in the economy of Gauteng through preferential procurement.
“Older persons have become more vulnerable in communities and this has compelled the department to further intensify its prevention and awareness programmes and to promote the ‘Adopt a Gogo’ campaign with increased vigour,” she said.
Good work
Mayathula-Khoza praised former HOD Shoki Tshabalala for her work with the department.
“She served the profession with distinction for 35 years. She has developed various government strategies, such as the Take Charge Campaign and was instrumental in setting up the HCT (Health, Counselling and Testing Campaign),” she said.
The MEC also welcomed the acting HOD, Makhukhu Mampuru, who is the chief executive at the Cradle of Humankind and former deputy director-general: business regulation and governance at the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
“Mampuru brings with him requisite skills and experience to steady us until we appoint a new HOD. In his more than 18 years of professional experience, he had stints in the non-governmental sector, all three spheres of government as well as self-employment,” she said.
The closing message from the MEC was that they will continue working with the acting HOD and other stakeholders to ensure beneficiaries receive quality services and access to information that will make them better participants in empowerment initiatives.
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