Issued by : Ministry of Social Development
20 June 2002
The Minister of Social Development Dr. Zola Skweyiya and the Members of the Executive Councils ( MEC' s) from the provinces will tomorrow (21st June, 2002) at 08:00, brief the media and various stakeholders about the progress made and challenges faced regarding the registration of children for grants as well the disbursement of R2-billion back-pay to various beneficiaries.
The briefing will take place at the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town. and relayed live through video conferencing at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Room 710 in Pretoria.
"We are making significant progress in reaching out to children thanks to the partnership and assistance of the various sectors like faith based organisation, business and NGO' s. However resources constraints in the provinces in particular, are becoming a serious factor needing urgent attention .We remain committed to ensuring that the children in particular are extricated from conditions of poverty as a matter of urgency and that their constitutional rights to access social security is indeed effected. This year we want to make sure that service delivery to the poorest of the poor is not only improved but accelerated," the Minister said.
The Minister is expected to give detail on the following:
1. the number of children thus far registered and how many beneficiaries have thus far been reached with regard to the disbursed on the R2-billion allocated for back-pay.
2. Report on progress relating to poverty relief and HIVAIDS programmes.
3. The progress with regard to public comment on the Comprehensive Social Security Report.
4. The challenges faced in the transformation of social welfare services particularly with regard to the non governmental organisations.
"The transformation of welfare services which will enhance better service delivery and accountability of the NGOs in the use of public funds has become more critical than ever before. We will be giving more attention to this matter at all levels especially in the provinces. We are very concerned about the conduct of some NGOs in this regard." the Minister said.
In a meeting held between the Minister with the MECs today (20 June, 2002) in Cape Town, serious concern were raised regarding the lack of accountability and the continued slack pace of transformation of NGOs that receive government support to render social services to the poorest of the poor.
The Minister will also table his Budget Vote Speech for 2002/3 at the National Council of Provinces on Friday 21 June at 9:00.
Enquiries : Mbulelo Musi and Kgati Sathekge
Cell : 082 904 3395 or 082 808 9486