Issued by: MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Attention: News Editors
8 August 2000
MINISTER AND MEC TO ESTABLISH FIRST- EVER WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE 1 MILLION PEOPLE OF LADYSMITH
The Minister for Social Development (formerly Welfare and Population Development), Dr. Zola Skweyiya, and the MEC for Social Welfare in KwaZulu Natal, (KZN) Prince G. L Zulu will tomorrow (10:00) the first-ever welfare services for the estimated 1 million population of Ladysmith.
The occasion will take place at the Pieter's Social Welfare Regional Office in the Industrial Area of Ladysmith.
"This is a part of the government efforts and commitment to ensure that the services are brought closer to the people, specially those in desperate need like women, the elderly and children. We hope this new initiative will make a difference to the lives of the millions of the people of Ladysmith. The fact that these services are being given to the people on August 9th, SA Women's Day, can only augur well for the on-ongoing efforts of the government to improve the welfare conditions of women." said the Minister.
"We have to prioritise areas like KZN as they not only experience high and devastating levels of poverty, but worse more, the scourge of the escalating levels of the HIV/AIDS." further said the Minister.
The occasion is expected to be attended by the Mayor of Ladysmith and the councillors, Members of Parliament, Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, Pensions Committee members, the Media and other members of the welfare sector. The theme for the occasion is "bringing services closer to the people especially women and children".
The Minister and the MEC will later visit the poverty eradication projects in Pomeroy.
Minister Skweyiya is currently on a visit to the KZN province from 8-11 August 2000 to assess the poverty eradication projects and also assist in the mobilisation of active involvement of communities, particularly women and civil society into the welfare programmes.
N.B Transport arrangements have been made for the media to join the Minister's entourage.
Enquiries: Mbulelo Musi or Mike Gumede Cell: 083 602 5795 or 082 655 9741
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS (GCIS) ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT