Home Affairs Minister, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize, will tomorrow morning, Saturday 13 May 2017, embark on an Imbizo programme with parents, teachers and community members of Etwatwa, in Benoni, at the WJ Mpengesi Primary School. Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Mzwandile Masina is also expected to attend.

Stakeholders attending will include parents and learners from 25 schools in the area. The schools mainly accommodate children who are undocumented, with some not registered as citizens and others being from child-headed homes and families of foreign nationals.

Home Affairs has received some queries regarding children barred from schools and struggling to benefit from social security programmes due to lack of required documents, such as birth certificates. Educators had raised challenges they face about likely exclusion of children from schools. This is an opportunity therefore to listen to concerns of communities and to explain application processes.

Around 500 stakeholders, including members of School Governing Bodies, community representatives and local leaders are expected to participate in a stakeholder engagement at the school – WJ Mpengesi Primary. Home Affairs mobile units will be on site.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Saturday, 13 May 2017

Time: 09H00

Venue: WJ Mpengesi Primary School Hall, 1850 Ikageng Street, Etwatwa, Benoni

For media enquiries please contact: Thabo Mokgola at 060 962 4982 Mpume Madlala (MLO for the Minister): 081 282 7799
David Hlabane at 071 342 4284