Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
12 August 2002
The Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya today reiterated Government's commitment to work closely with civil society during the WSSD in ensuring that the voices of the poor are heard, particularly those of South Africa, Africa and the developing world.
"The South African Government is doing all in its power to ensure that civil society is strengthened to make a meaningful contribution to policy discussions and other pertinent issues like poverty, health, water and other socio-economic development issues that will be discussed by both Government and Civil society during the WSSD," said the Minister.
Minister Skweyiya announced that to date the National, Provincial and local Government have collectively contributed finance and infrastructure that will also assist civil society to the tune of R80-miilion.
"We urge all South Africans to work together, be it business, labour, faith-based organisations and most importantly communities like that of Alexandra, Soweto, Gauteng and the North West to give a warm welcome to all the international guests who will be attending the WSSD," said the Minister.
"We urge all South Africans to join hands to ensure that all the delegates attending the WSSD are made to feel at home and protected so that they can make a meaningful contribution to the goal of building a better world for all," further said the Minister.
The Minister has been assigned by Cabinet to lead Government/Civil Society interactions during the WSSD.
The Minister was speaking at a joint press briefing held with the CEO of the Global Civil Society Forum the Rev Desmond Lesejane held today (Monday August 12) at Nasrec.
Rev Lesejane said that all systems were in place and that South African civil society was ready to host an estimated 40,000 civil society representatives from across the globe.
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