Government's fight to alleviate poverty misconstrued
13 Sep 2013
Government has noted media reports that have misinterpreted the Department of Social Development's welfare service programme, and refutes allegations that certain areas, in particular Tlokwe, are being targeted to receive food parcels ahead of the by-elections. The department's programme objective is to create and provide social protection to the most vulnerable of society. This is delivered via provincial government and non-profit organisation structures.
The Minister for Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, is required through the Performance Agreement she signed with the President Jacob Zuma to undertake Imbizo's throughout the country, and has conducted around 80 Imbizo events across the country since 2011.
Acting GCIS CEO, Phumla Williams said, "There is nothing untoward with Tlokwe being one of the recipients of government services. The Imbizo at Tlokwe forms part of Project Mikondzo, which is a service delivery improvement initiative aimed at improving access to the department and its entities. These include the services rendered by the South African Social Security Agency and National Development Agency and are targeting the poorest wards of the country. These Imbizos including the one held at Tlokwe were planned a while back."
The General Household Survey of 2010 identified that problems to access food were the most serious in North West province, where 33 percent of households had inadequate or severely inadequate access to food.
"The Imbizo initiative plays an important role as an interactive continuous style of governance. Minister Dlamini is currently doing a follow-up in the Tlokwe area, as she promised during her last visit to the area. Handing out food parcels is in-line with attending to the concerns raised during the General Household Survey of 2010, and is a small initiative to assist in the alleviation of poverty in the area. The Imbizos create a platform for the Minister to engage directly with communities," said Williams.
Government remains committed to promoting sustainable human development, and will continue to intensify the alleviation of poverty in the country's poorest communities.
Statement issued by Phumla Williams, GCIS, September 13 2013
