Pretoria - The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has described a week-long oversight visit to the Northern Cape as satisfactory and an eye opener.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Zoleka Capa, said the visit underscored the significance of a need to urgently call for a summit on drugs and substance abuse.
“Work on drugs must start now, government must urgently convene all social partners for an interaction on the impact of drugs in our communities and the question that drugs were readily available in the country,” said Capa.
Capa also added that the Central Drug Authority, which is a Department of Social Development entity, must explain what they do.
“The Committee saw what it wanted to see and cannot sit and watch while the country is ravaged by drugs. South Africans need to join hands and save those who are not yet saved,” she said.
The Committee concluded its oversight visit to the Northern Cape, where it sought to understand the extent to which substance abuse was a challenge in the province.
It also sought to establish the effectiveness of South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) pay-points, as well as oversight the programmes sponsored by the Department of Social Development.
Capa emphasised that a clear social policy that put integration and good leadership at the centre is required.
“Leadership speaks to the issue of developing parenting skills and allowing all formations in society to be part of a solution. Social development is a long term project and a long term investment,” she said.
The Committee was also made aware about how challenging drawing a business plan was for local organisations and for most, resulting in withdrawal of funding from the provincial department.
Capa said she was satisfied with all the projects the Committee visited and the efficiency with which SASSA processed applications at its biggest regional office in Kimberley.
“There will be a follow up interaction with the province, SASSA and the Department of Social Development on outstanding matters but also to see if the timeframes had been met on those things that the department promised it would fix,” said Capa. – SAnews.gov.za
