Pretoria - Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini is taking government’s festive season campaign to Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape, where she will interact with the community on a range of social ills.
“The primary focus of her visit is to create awareness on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, protection of children, people with disabilities and older persons around this time.
“According to the Central Drug Authority, more than 6 000 people, many of them children, die on our roads as a result of alcohol abuse every year,” said the Department of Social Development.
Government has embarked on an extensive campaign this festive season to interact with and remind citizens about some of the dangers associated with the festive season.
The Minister is expected to interact with the community at the Bensonvalle Former College Sports Ground later today.
As the festive season gets into full swing, Minister Dlamini has encouraged citizens to take the necessary precautions to have a safer holiday experience.
“Parents and guardians must ensure the safety of our children and always be aware of their movements. Everyone must play their part to build a safer society, as directed by the National Development Plan.
“The Department of Social Development and its agencies will be hard at work across the country over the festive season to prevent the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children,” said Minister Dlamini.
The department has previously held community dialogues in Sterkspruit and the Minister will also pay attention to the issues raised during the dialogues. Some of the issues raised include the misuse of the Child Support Grant, Social Relief of Distress not reaching the right beneficiaries and unfunded Early Childhood Development centres. – SAnews.gov.za
