2008/09 budget vote address by Hon. MEC Nikiwe Mangqo Department of Social Development, North West Provincial Legislature Mafikeng

Honourable Madam Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier
Honourable Colleagues in the Executive Council
Honourable members of the provincial legislature
Honourable Executive Mayors and Mayors
Honourable Speakers and Members of Mayoral Committees
Honourable Councillors
Members of the House of Traditional Leaders, Magosi A Etsho A A Tlotlegang
Different political parties
Our social partners, the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs)
Members of the media
Comrades and friends
Distinguished guests
Bagaetsho

We present the budget vote address today, as the last in the current term of governance, inspired by the milestones that we have covered in our journey to improving the living conditions of all of our people, the poor and most vulnerable in particular.

We present this address, this year, as we mark the 40th anniversary of the passing away of one of the greatest champions of civil rights, Dr. Martin Luther King, who on the 3rd of April 1968, would deliver what would be viewed as his premonition address coined, "I have Been to the Mountaintop," only to leave us the following day.

We have come here today, Madam Speaker, to say that in the memory of Dr. King, Oliver Tambo, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Joe Slovo, and Chris Hani, we have been to the mountaintop. Of particular interest, Madam Speaker is that exactly 55 years ago, on this day, history would be made as Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing would be the first people in recorded history to reach the summit of Mount Everest. We join in their memory today, as we reveal details of the panorama we glanced with them, from the mountaintop.

Delivering his last address at Memphis, Tennessee, on the 3rd of April 1968, Dr. King said, as I quote:
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind.

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And God allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!"

We tread in the footsteps of giants today, as we say, the suffering of our people has taken us to the mountain and there we saw the Promised Land. We have descended the summit of the mountain, clear of the duties we have to fulfil to eradicate the suffering of our people, as we lead them to the Promised Land.

Madam Speaker, we did not go to the mountaintop out of our own will, we were sent there by the people and we delivered on this mandate. The people have spoken and we dedicate this budget vote address to the poor, the religious communities, community builders, the most vulnerable and indeed the proletariat amongst our people.

Madam Speaker, we continue to strive for the improvement of a service delivery that can deliver on the objectives we have set ourselves.

Skills Development

The complexity of social challenges makes the social work profession indispensable. It is for this reason that social work profession has been declared a scarce skill in the country. In view of this factor, the national and provincial departments have developed a strategy for the recruitment and retention of Social Workers. The department has developed a partnership with the North West University to ensure the increased intake of social work students. Bursaries have been provided to 132 students from disadvantaged communities. 17 students who had already enrolled at a time when they received bursaries have graduated and are currently employed by the department.

30 unemployed graduates have been identified for the internship programme with 10 skilled in media and communications, five in Information Technology, another five in Human Resource Development and Management (HRDM) and 10 in Records Management. They will all be placed in the current financial year.

The department introduced Adult Basic Education Training (ABET) programme for its employees in August 2007 and 104 of our employees are currently attending classes. We congratulate them for the remarkable progress they continue to register.

Critical Posts

The department takes full cognisance of the ever-increasing social ills and is continuously increasing the human resource capacity by employing more Social Workers and probation officers. In the previous financial year, 106 social workers, 27 probation officers and 49 community development practitioners were added to the departmental human resource pool.

A new post structure has been approved by the department in order to improve service delivery and it is currently being filled in phases. 498 critical posts were identified. 280 of these identified posts have thus far been filled. All key posts will be filled by the end of this financial year.

We continue to be affected by the exodus of skilled and experienced senior management members as we had projected in the previous financial year. We however would like to point out that this is not a problem that is unique to our department, as generally such exodus of skilled workers affects the social cluster departments, due to the scarce skills sought by others.

We continue to be concerned about this exodus of skilled workers from the public service to the private sector as this affects institutional memory and culture. We continue to look into intensifying staff retention strategies and ensuring that we employ fresh graduates who will be patriotic and committed to the public service. In the midst of these challenges, we remain inspired that tomorrow will be better than today, for we have seen the Promised Land.

Office Space

Madam Speaker the developmental challenges which our country continues to face, have lead the department to embark on a journey of intensifying the delivery of services to the multitudes of the people we serve. The growth of the department has thus been inevitable in the achievement of the mandates we have been provided. Office space has come as a challenge that needed to be attended to. We are doing all else at our disposal to employ strategies to address this matter together with all other affected sister departments.

Children

Madam Speaker, we have the collective responsibility to entrust our future in the hands of our children, as they will be the defenders of the freedoms we have fought for and the custodians of our nationhood. We committed in the previous financial year to taking services to children so as to mark progress in our developmental objectives.

A tender amounting to R55 million has been awarded for the construction of a children's home combined with a place of safety in Mafikeng and progress is underway. Foster-care services targeting 5 000 children were to be fast-tracked and we are proud to announce that not only have we delivered on that but we have surpassed expectations as we reached a total of 8 000 additional children who are currently under foster care. The draft Provincial Adoption Strategy has been developed and action plans are to follow in this regard.

Madam Speaker, the realisation of a better future begins with the resources we invest in our children from a young age. We committed the department to fast-tracking Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme reaching 255 275 children from poor families by end of 2009. To date 290 ECD facilities are subsidised on a monthly basis benefiting 20 100 children from poor families. 161 new ECD centres are registered with Merafong alone benefiting 6 800 children from eight new sites, with 456 new jobs created in the area. 20 sites received furniture with indoor and outdoor play equipment benefiting 1 200 children.

As we celebrate the "Take a Girl Child to the Workplace", we assure our children that we have seen the Promised Land, and they shall get there!

Family Services

Madam Speaker, in the midst of the challenges we continue to face, we remain inspired that families are not shaken by fears of the future; they are prepared to do God's will.

The establishment of family services directorate has provided strategic leadership to programmes and projects to improve the well-being of families. A director has been appointed along with other crucial posts to the functioning of this directorate. R3.8 million was allocated for this purpose.

The department hosted a family conference where 300 delegates attended. In the fight against social ills, bred by absence of family leadership, material assistance was provided to families at risk. NGOs providing services to families were funded. As part of our intervention in placing families at the centre of building the moral fibre of society, the department joined a provincial delegation that attended Ethical Leadership conference in Bahamas.

Community dialogue workshops were undertaken where 120 stakeholders were orientated on information cascading regarding moral regeneration programmes. Four district workshops were held to promote awareness on the Draft National Family Policy reaching 250 stakeholders. Our families have spoken, they have seen the glory of God, and they are prepared to embark with us on a journey to the Promised Land.

Substance abuse

The abuse of substances continues to paint a picture that the idea of a Promised Land is far fetched for our people. We reject this notion as we say that having seen the Promised Land; we shall not allow any obstacle to discourage us.

In promoting the implementation of National Drug Master Plan (NDMP), a consultative meeting with the Central Drug Authority, Department of Social Development and other stakeholders was held. This partnership process has witnessed the development of the draft provincial mini drug master plan whose aim is to reduce the demand and supply of licit and illicit drugs.

In consultation with stakeholders in the substance abuse field, a draft secretariat improvement plan was developed to strengthen the provincial substance abuse forum as prescribed by the national drug master plan. As part of the implementation of the model for substance-dependant-youth in residential facilities, an orientation workshop was held with stakeholders in Madibeng Local Municipality.

Rolling out Ke Moja substance abuse prevention strategy throughout the province has seen 57 service providers (educators, mental health co-ordinators, members of the South African Police Service [SAPS], civil society and social development) trained on Ke Moja strategy. 32 Schools were reached during the roll out of Ke Moja programme throughout the province, which number shall be tripled as outreach programmes become our primary focus.

Draft provincial minimum norms and standards for inpatient treatment centres were developed to regulate treatment facilities in the province. Two substance abuse community based projects in Mafikeng and Moretele (Lebotlwane) were provided funding of R976 000 for the implementation of prevention and outreach programmes. Project members were trained on service planning, resource mobilisation and institution building to strengthen their capacity. Sanpark treatment centre in Klerksdorp was funded an additional R1.095 million for outpatient services in Moses Kotane and Naledi Locality Municipalities.

Persons with disabilities

Madam Speaker, the view from the Mountaintop once more assured us that none shall ever be superior to the other; we were all created equal despite the differences in our physical abilities. We are all God's Children. To persons with disabilities, we have seen the Promised Land!

Moretele One Stop Centre has been identified as part of both improvement and expansion of services to the eligible. The centre was earmarked for people with disabilities but the current renovation is an attempt to mainstream people with disabilities hence inclusion of other departmental programmes in the centre. Service providers for departmental infrastructural development are on site and the renovations are in progress.

Implementation of a transformation model for Itsoseng Handicraft Centre, as part of Gobodo recommendations, has been a success. Renovations for first phase of the centre were concluded in line with the service delivery norms and standards. Posts for the institution were advertised and interviews concluded. Draft guidelines on the recruitment of board members are in place. The vision and mission of the centre was reviewed guided by Integrated National Disability Strategy and the Disability Policy. Admission criteria have also been developed in line with the norms and standards.

R2 million was awarded to Triest Centre to provide outreach programme to 16 community-based disability organisations and ABET training to people with mental disability. 16 day care centres and self-help projects have been trained on centre management, record keeping and basic financial management. The North West University has approved training manual. Examination was written by all those enrolled wherein 50% passed and were awarded certificates. 60 People with mental disability received ABET training.

Older persons

As Dr. Martin Luther King teaches us, "longevity has its place." These words are an inspiration to all of us to continue to improve the living conditions of older persons.

Implementation plan on popularisation of the Older Persons Act has been designed to ensure effective information dissemination to communities and stakeholders. This includes capacity building programmes for co-ordinators and partners on regulations for implementation of the Act. Train the trainer workshop was conducted for empowerment and development of staff and partners as well as the roll out plan for training of community structures, NGOs, FBOs and other partners. A total budget R41.4 million was allocated for this purpose.

In promotion and protection of the rights of older persons, 1 200 older persons were reached during International Day of Older Persons leading to the honouring of the eldest older person in the Moses Kotane and Rustenburg municipalities in Bojanala District. 200 grandparents were honoured for the contribution they have made in their societies and the roles they played in parenting grandchildren, care giving in terminally ill family members and for being bread winners for their families.

10 older persons were provided with wheel chairs to enhance mobility. Promotion of care and support through partnership with Kgetleng Local Municipality was undertaken to ensure integration of services for older persons and persons with disabilities during Christmas.

The implementation of Elderly Abuse Protocol has seen co-ordinators and Local Organising structures trained on the protocol procedures for reporting abuse in communities and residential facilities for older persons. A register has been developed as a system to ensure early intervention and prevention of elder abuse.

As we expand community based frail care services, 43 community-based care services have been sustained through financial support, to keep older persons long enough in their homes. Five more community based care services have been supported with both material and financial assistance to ensure expansion and establishment of services to older persons.

Provincial Older Persons' Forum has been established to create the platform for participation and representation of older persons. Terms of reference for the forum have been developed in consultation with forum members.

Transformation plan for NGO-run residential facilities has been availed to improve equity, accessibility and representation of demographic profile of the communities serviced. Service provider has been appointed for renovations at Sonop Home for Older Persons aimed at improving the living conditions in terms of norms and standards for residential facilities. Transformation plan for state run facilities has been approved and the quality assurance tool has been developed to ensure improvement and compliance to legislative mandates. State run facilities received honours during the recent Premier's Service Excellence Awards.

HIV and AIDS

As we descended the mountain, Madam Speaker, we descended inspired by the glory we saw at the Promised Land. We saw a land of milk and honey, where HIV and AIDS was a distant memory, defeated to eternity.

Despite the challenges of our day, we are encouraged that we are capable of defeating this enemy to the poor and most vulnerable amongst our people. The department has funded 40 Home Community-Based Care Organisations which includes 13 new home community-based care organisations and four HIV and AIDS prevention/partnership programme with Love Life. It has been a challenge to release the funds on time due to the delays in the registration of organisations in the system. The department has however, registered progress in resolving this hiccup and it is anticipated that such problems will never be anticipated again.

The department has also visited all funded organisations in Bojanala, Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts and an intervention plan has been developed to address all the challenges experienced by these organisations.

In order to enhance the performance of the department in relation to the national and provincial strategic plans on HIV and AIDS and STIs, the department has filled the post of Director HIV and AIDS programmes as well as six posts of Assistant Directors within the Unit.

Madam Speaker, a process to develop a provincial Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) action plan has been initiated and the processes towards the launch of provincial action committee on children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS (PACCA) are well underway. This is informed by the national policy framework on OVC, which gives the Department of Social Development a mandate to lead the establishment of co-ordinating structures dealing with OVC.

Victim Empowerment Programme

The Local Victim Empowerment Programme Forum members have been trained on minimum standards for service delivery as directed by Victim Empowerment Integrated Policy.

In finalising the implementation of a strategy to sustain three victim empowerment centres to improve services rendered, posts for the centre manager and the senior social workers have been advertised. 13 volunteers are receiving stipends, pending the finalisation of the implementation of the strategy.

Business plan for the establishment of shelter for victims of crime and violence has been submitted with a site secured in the Naledi Local Municipality. Six organisations have been funded to render victim empowerment services.

Poverty Eradication Strategy

Madam Speaker, as we reached the mountaintop, we looked back and saw the anarchy of poverty disguised as xenophobia and many other forms of prejudice. We saw how some amongst us had lost hope and gave into lies fed by poverty that our brothers and sisters were stealing jobs. We shed tears at this scene as we now condemn the spate of attacks that have recently been carried out by sibling against sibling.

As we looked forward into the future, we saw today's foes marching to the Promised Land side by side, led by Enoch Sontongo as they sang Nkosi Sikelel 'iAfrika! The poor of today shall get to the Promised Land and witness the eternal defeat of poverty!

The department championed the development of the Provincial Poverty Eradication Strategy as mandated by the Province.

Merafong/Khutsong

Besides contributing to the provincial relief roll out plan of Merafong, to address socio-economic challenges encountered by the residents of Khutsong, Merafong was also earmarked to implement a National Youth Service (NYS) programme. Due to unforeseen delays in registering the NYS programme, the department has funded Merafong Youth Development Forum (YDF) to the tune of R1.4 million for the brick making and moral regeneration programmes geared at building and supporting youth advancement.

Partnership with Scouts South Africa

The department partnered with South African Scout Association (SASA) for the roll-out of a programme called "Food-for-Life" to 1 250 scouts. Starter packs were issued to young people in all four district municipalities to start backyard gardens. Beneficiaries were trained on food production and garden maintenance as planned. Possibilities of replication to other areas will be informed by the sustainability and benefits realised upon completion of assessment by the department. R1.32 million has been budgeted for in this regard.

Bophirima Youth Development Programme

The leadership of unemployed youth that was previously in conflict with the law from the previously volatile Naledi Local Municipality, has been mobilised by the department and the municipality to establish Bophirima Youth Development Programme, aimed at providing care and support to orphans, children with disabilities and child-headed-households.

A camping excursion for 85 members of these target groups and the youth leadership was conducted during December 2007 in preparation for the establishment of the development programme. Once again SASA played an important role in the moral regeneration camp for these young people.

Bophirima Youth Development Programme has been funded for R1.2 million and will start implementing in June this year. The delay was as a result of lack of proper accommodation in close proximity to targeted beneficiaries. Our sincere appreciation to Naledi Local Municipality for providing office space to the group! The official launch of this project will be held during the International Poverty Day.

Moral regeneration

The current plight of youth calls for a comprehensive government's intervention that will, amongst others ensure meeting of basic needs, build human capacity and self-reliance and encourage participating fully in all spheres of social, economic and political life, as espoused in relevant policy and legislative imperatives such as the White Paper of Welfare, 1997, the Youth Policy of 2001 and the National Youth Development Strategy.

Madam Speaker, the department partnered with the provincial youth commission in hosting four district youth summits. A total number of 4 000 young people responded positively and attended the summits aimed at engaging them in identifying challenges facing the youth and coming up with possible solutions and interventions to address them. The total cost for this programme was R4 million. The provincial event will be held in June championed and led by the Hon. Premier.

Masupatsela

The department has joined the national department and other provincial departments in Masupatsela youth pioneer programme. This is an initiative that was conceived from the Bilateral Co-operation Agreement in the social development sector between the Honourable Minister Zola Skweyiya and his Cuban counterpart. The programme seeks to recruit 1 040 unemployed youth from prioritised municipalities over a period of three years to massify registration of ECDs, increase the number of beneficiaries and thus addressing current backlogs in the early childhood development sector and youth unemployment.

A business plan has been developed and officials from various directorates have just returned from a study tour in Cuba as part of finalization of the business plan and implementation plan. A Cuban expert will be deployed at the provincial office during the second quarter to assist in project management of this initiative for a period of 18 months.

Drop-in Centres

Three new drop-in centres have been funded. These are "Be Green and Active" in Kagisano, "Nkgokare" in Mazista in Kgetleng and "Ratang Bana" in Bokfontein in Madibeng. "Tshwaraganang Le Unicef", in Madibeng, has been strengthened to prepare for the project centre and a vegetable garden establishment. The total cost for the four centres is R3.59 million.

Economic Enterprises

Play a crucial role in the fight against poverty in our communities. In this regard 22 business plans were approved and recommended for funding. 17 of these projects met all funding requirements and disbursement of funds is underway. The total amount disbursed for enterprises is R10.25 million.

As we support capacity building to civil society organisations, Project Management Committees of 65 organisations funded between 2001 and 2007 were trained on business plan development, resource mobilisation, NPO registration, basic bookkeeping and report writing. A total R140 000 was spent for this purpose.

Further training will be provided to remaining 43 organisations and those to be funded during the current financial year. A skills audit of targeted organisations has been completed in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Bojanala Districts. Other districts will be audited by end of July 2008.

Community Builder Awards

The department once more successfully hosted four District Readira Awards in preparation for the provincial community builder of the year awards. The North West province was well represented at the national event. The Matlosane based Steward Nhlati Science Engineering and Technology Institute won the national youth category and also scooped the overall national community builder award.

The department further assisted the Executive in Chief, the young Sir. Stuart Nhlathi, to go on an observational visit to Taiwan National Science and Buddhism Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan. R1.3 million was spent on the provincial awards.

2008/09 Priorities

Madam Speaker, we have been to the mountaintop and we now take this opportunity to intensify our march towards the Promised Land.

Corporate Support

In our efforts of improving conditions for service delivery, we continue to place matters policy implementation and service delivery planning, monitoring and evaluation at the centre of management development. In the current financial year, we undertake to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of the departmental programme performance as well as foster the participation of relevant and key stakeholders such as municipalities and sector departments in all planning processes.

R350 000 has been set aside to ensure alignment of key policy salient thrusts such as Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), State of the Nation Address (SONA) and State of the Province Address (SOPA) policy directives amongst others, in our planning processes. R200 000 will be spent on reviewing the departmental monitoring and evaluation framework by September 2008.

The Supply Chain Management intends to improve and transform the service delivery system by engaging the historically disadvantaged individuals to participate in the procurement process of the Department of Social Development. The directorate will, with its service delivery improvement and transformation plan, host four Supply Chain Management awareness campaign to communities in each district.

This awareness campaign will enable us to empower the rural and local communities to gain access and participate in our procurement processes using the preferential procurement tools. During this awareness campaign, more information pertaining to the departmental procurement system will be disseminated. The directorate is targeting 51% of historically disadvantaged individuals' participation which will address poverty eradication, promotion of local business and strengthening of co-operatives and all other self sustainable projects.

We will continue to ensure effective human resource provisioning, organisational development and transformation services. Advocacy and training programmes for Employees Health and Wellness Programmes (EHWP) will be intensified. Management of employee relations is one crucial factor we will focus on as we build a strong team of committed public service cadres.

Children

Madam Speaker, though it might seem as a long journey and at times we might be weary, it needs not matter, we have seen the Promised Land and our children shall get there!

R3 million has been committed towards improving conditions of Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities with 200 new ECD sites being subsidised. In rendering support 150 social auxiliary workers will be trained and R2 million has been set aside for this purpose. Skills audit report for the ECD services will be undertaken as we strive to ensure the reliability of ECD services database. R1 million will be spent in this regard. Monitoring systems need continuous improvement and the department will continue to strengthen tracking systems for ECD and grant beneficiaries.

A reliable database for orphans and vulnerable children will be developed to the tune of R1.5 million. Services to children in conflict with the law will be improved with an integrated management plan for the secure care centres. R25 million has been set aside for the functioning of 1 centre in Ngaka Modiri Molema. A comprehensive strategy will be developed for homeless children.

As we rally behind the hope of a better Africa and the world for all of our people, a provincial indaba on the needs of child refugees will be held in the current financial year. For the current financial year, Child Care and Protection Services receive a budget of R82.729 million. In the overall the programme will see a rise in subsidies to all institutions engaged in the improvement of the living conditions and protection of the rights of our children.

HIV and AIDS

Madam Speaker, we are not prepared to wonder in the desert for 40 years before we arrive at the Promised Land. HIV and AIDS are prepared to take us on this undesired path. We have been to the mountaintop and we have seen the Promised Land, we shall march side by side with our children there. HIV and AIDS shall not be an obstacle.

The department has allocated an amount of R31.7 million in transfers to support and strengthen the Home Community-Based Care (HCBC) services, Prevention and Advocacy Partnership Programmes and R2.6 million for drop-in-centres. This will see the strengthening of 52 existing HCBCs and Drop-in-Centres, four new HCBCs, four new drop-in-centres and four new HIV and& AIDS Prevention and Advocacy Partnership Programmes. The increase in funding will also see an increase in the number of caregivers who will be taken through the EPWP.

In order to strengthen OVC support programmes, the department is currently hosting a provincial summit to develop a provincial OVC action plan. This plan will see co-ordinated action by government, business and NGOs in addressing the plight of OVC in the province. This will be followed by the launch of Provincial Action Committee on Children Affected and Infected by HIV and AIDS (PACCA) in July, and the rollout of structures in districts and local municipalities.

The department will also undertake an impact assessment study on all organisations funded to deliver HIV and AIDS related services to determine gaps, to deal with equity issues, and to inform the development of a comprehensive HIV and AIDS intervention plan to guide the department.

The World AIDS day commemoration, this year, will see the Department of Social Development hosting four district build-up events for the World AIDS Day commemoration. This is to scale up the fight against the increasing infection rates of HIV.

The HIV and AIDS programme receives R40.535 million in the current financial year.

Substance Abuse, Prevention and Rehabilitation

The pursuit of happiness cannot be realised in the hopelessness of substance intoxication. We know that the ills of substance abuse shall be defeated, for we have been to the mountaintop!

This year the department will implement the secretariat improvement plan for the Provincial Substance Abuse Forum (PSAF), implement the Provincial Mini Drug Master Plan and the model for substance dependant youth in residential facilities. R100 000 has been set for the latter commitment.

Access to treatment and rehabilitation services for substance abuse will be improved through the establishment of one state run treatment centre to the cost of R10 million.

We are further called to mitigate against possible rise in substance abuse during 2010 through the intensification of awareness and advocacy of substance abuse programmes in all identified participating municipalities. R650 000 has been set aside for this purpose.

Information management and research on substance abuse continues to be one of the key priority areas and in this regard the department will conduct survey and analysis of trends and patterns of substance abuse in the province at a budget of R250 000.

Substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation services receive R8.88 million in the current financial year.

Persons with disabilities

Madam Speaker, we shall get to the Promised Land with all of our people, none shall be left behind!

The department will intensify capacity development on disability policies, guidelines and strategies at all levels through improvement of service accessibility, intensification of advocacy programme, information management and research, creating opportunities for employment and growth through economic empowerment projects and facilitation of increase on subsidy rates.

We will further increase the capacity of state to deliver through participation in the reviving and launching of local forums as well as to enhance good governance through participation in inter Departmental and intra provincial forums.

Services to persons with disabilities receive a budget of R18.367 million in the current financial year.

Older persons

Madam Speaker, the idea of a Promised Land is that where all of our older persons are treated with dignity and honour. It is a land where the memories of a nation will be used to build a better future. We have been to the mountaintop and we have seen the Promised Land.

Registration of facilities for both community-based service and residential care facilities remain at the centre of our priorities with regard to services for older persons. These facilities committed to improving the living conditions of the older persons will in this financial year realise a growth in the subsidy allowances, which we believe they will come in handy against the beyond control inflation we continue to experience.

We will further create an enabling environment through strengthening the existing forums and local organising communities for older persons, strengthening community-based care services, ensure protection of older persons from abuse cases and intensifying capacity building at all levels.

The department will further intensify family preservation programmes with special reference to heritage to ensure integration of services. Granny headed households will be profiled and awareness and moral regeneration programmes will be embarked upon. Subsidy increments will be ensured for community-based Care services in the previously disadvantaged communities to create equitable distribution of resources.

The care and services to older persons receive a budget allocation of R43.262 million.

Families

As we build the moral fibre of our society through empowerment and development of the most vulnerable of our people, establishment of cluster implementation forums for children, families, disabilities and older persons will be intensified. Our families shall lead us to the Promised Land; they have been with us to the mountaintop.

Four centres will be established for the development and costing of One-Stop service centre model to the amount of R12 million. Ethical leadership advocacy campaigns focusing on the youth will be undertaken to the amount of R250 000.

Improved family relationships are crucial to the creation of a healthy minded society and to achieve on our goals in this regard, four reference groups will be established to the amount of R250 000. A strategy for provision of family services will be strengthened to the amount of R350 000.

Care and support services to families receive a budget allocation of R7.217 million in the current financial year.

Partnerships

The idea of our Promised Land is that of a developmental state. Its objectives necessitate that all hands should be on deck to better the lives of our people. Intergovernmental relations framework provides opportunities to be explored by the department as a form of intensifying partnerships. In this regard we will work with the municipalities to work towards a structure that mobilises political and technical leadership between the province and the municipalities in fast-tracking social development services at ward level.

The department will work with all relevant parties towards the establishment of a structure that encompasses the MEC for Social Development and members of mayoral committees responsible for social development services across the municipalities in what will be known as MUNIMEC. The main aim of this structure is to establish mechanisms for service delivery as well as co-ordination and integration with local municipalities.

R1.4 million has been set aside for the Provincial Faith Based Organisations (FBO) Conference and the official launch of the provincial FBO forum. A further R1 million has been set aside for funding of the forum to ensure that all their plans are implemented with minimal financial constraints experienced.

This department has to ensure that parents also play their rightful role in homes, families and communities. Because "charity begins at home", it is important that parents and families are assisted and enhanced to provide guidance and support to their children in building them into responsible and caring members within their family and community setup.

A Provincial Parenting Network (PPN) will be launched in ensuring that parents and all relevant stakeholders in moral regeneration and child welfare are provided with a structure and platform to operate, be seen and be heard as they say "NGWANA SEJO O A TLHAKANELWA!"

We urge our state-led and private or community owned institutions, to meaningfully engage with us on a transformation path we have set on, for all funded institutions. The developmental challenges we continue to respond to necessitate this process of transformation and it will benefit all of us.

Poverty Alleviation

The review of the Poverty Eradication Implementation Plan (PEIP) and development of the Poverty Eradication System (PES) implementation plan will be undertaken in the current financial year. This will see the establishment of the war room as mandated by the President of the Republic. Feasibility studies will be conducted in 15 local municipalities targeted as possible service areas for enterprise development.

R12 million has been earmarked for the establishment of co-operatives to intensify PES projects. We will invest resources to initiate productive economic enterprises as part of departmental quick-win projects, including institutional bakeries. R12 million has been budgeted for in this regard.

Improved material support for the needy and vulnerable refugees will be embarked upon, by establishing four district Food and Clothing Banks at a budget of R6 million. The department will strengthen the financial muscle of two flagship programmes in Mathateng and Madikwe to the amount of R2 million.

For the roll-out of Masupatsela programme, core programmes of the department will carry the costs estimated at not less than R15 million, including staffing and all other requirements like transport and furniture for the establishment of special programmes Unit where the Masupatsela Programme will be located.

The province will once again host four district Readira Awards and the Provincial Community Builder of the Year Awards. Prizes for the district awards and the provincial event will be increased to award our winners accordingly. R 2, 6m has been allocated for Community Builder Awards in this financial year.

Madam Speaker, we have been to the Mountaintop, from now on, we just want to do God's will.

May I take this time, to send my heartfelt appreciation for the support and encouragement I continue to receive from my loving family. My mother and my children continue to be a rock upon which I remain anchored. The Acting Head of Department of Social Development, Mme Lindile Kgasi, a child of the revolution, born and bred into the revolution, together with her dedicated team of public service cadres in the department continue to go beyond the call of duty to ensure that we deliver on our obligated mandates to the multitudes of our people. Madam Speaker, I remain grateful to these soldiers of the public service revolution, who were there to provide the necessary climbing tools as we ascended the mountaintop; they too shall see the Promised Land.

Sincerest thanks to our social partners, for coming on board to translate our revolutionary objectives into meaningful practical results on the ground. The support and leadership I have been receiving from this August House has been enormous and I remain grateful for it. To my political home, the ANC, I am encouraged by the lessons I receive from you to continue as a soldier of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).

Our 2008/09 departmental budget breakdown is as such:

Programme 1: Administration receives R101.570 million
Programme 2: Social Welfare Services receive R407.389 million
Programme 3: Development and Research receives R98.564 million

Madam Speaker, I present you the total departmental budget of R607.523 million for 2008/09 financial year for your vote.

May God Bless Africa!

Issued by: Department of Social Development, North West Provincial Government
29 May 2008