Issued by Ministry of Social Development
16 August 2001
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, has called on the entire nation to unite in providing support for children in general especially those with disabilities, living in poverty and affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
"All of us must now fold our sleeves and work with sense of extreme urgency and determination to protect children from such social ills like poverty, HIV/AIDS and assist the most vulnerable children with disabilities. The children are our future and we need to give them our love, care and create an environment for their healthy development", said the Minister.
Minister Skweyiya was speaking at a ceremony to switch on electricity at the Nolitha Special School for children with physical and mental disabilities in Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape.
Nolitha Special School has eighty children and nine teachers and has been operating in a dilapidated building without electricity for years. It is located in a rural community experiencing poverty and unemployment.
Today Minister Skweyiya, in conjunction with the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, provided the school with electricity, a telephone, a vehicle as well as a television set for the children.
The Department of Social Development has also ensured that all the children receive the child support as well as the disability grant.
Minister Skweyiya also announced that construction in the school will take place to ensure that the school becomes one of the best with modest facilities and that the FCB, a private sector organisation has already committed itself to assist in this direction.
The Director-General of Minerals and Energy, Mr Sandile Nogxina, Members of Parliament, Departments of Home Affairs, Education and Health, Councillors as well as Community members attended today's ceremony.
Minister Skweyiya will now proceed to visit Mount Frere where children have been reported to be dying of malnutrition and poverty.
Contact: Mbulelo Musi at 083 602 5795