18 March, 2001
The Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya has called for an urgent review of all the laws governing the welfare sector in order to ensure that the legacies of Apartheid are removed and that the laws enhance human rights and the acceleration of delivery in the sector.
"The time for accelerated delivery of services to the poorest has come. After consulting extensively with the various stake-holders as well as visit to poor communities in all the provinces, I have become convinced more than ever before that, some of the blockages to access to services by many vulnerable groups is due to the continued existence of old laws and regulations. This matter must be addressed as a matter of urgency if our dream of building a caring society, a better life for all and a culture of human rights is to have any meaning," said the Minister.
Some of the Minister's concerns relate to laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of children, youth development, protection of people with disabilities, the elderly and policies relating to financing of the service providers."
"As we mark Human Rights Day, we must ask ourselves: Have we done enough to ensure that the legacies of Apartheid are removed and that the poorest enjoy the socio-economic rights they are entitled to be the constitution?" asked the Minister.
The Minister is expected to outline some of these concerns when he addresses the historic Consultative Workshop with the Social Development stakeholders to be held in Pretoria on the 20th March 2001.
Over 200 representatives from the Faith Based Organisations, the Community-Based-Organisations, the Non Governmental Organisations, trade unions; civil society and the media are expected to attend. "We hope the Consultative Workshop will be a milestone in enhancing the efforts of the government and all those involved in improving the lives of millions of poor people," concluded the Minister.
Issued by : Ministry of Social Development
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