Cabinet has thanked South Africans for continuing to uplift those less fortunate than themselves.
This comes ahead of Social Development Month, which is observed in October. It is held annually to commemorate the many strides the country has made in providing social assistance to the poor and most vulnerable.
Cabinet also wished all senior citizens and the elderly a happy Older Persons Day, which will be commemorated on Sunday. President Zuma is expected to launch Social Development Month and celebrate the International Day of Older Persons, which is observed on 1 October across the world, with senior citizens in Tshwane.
“South Africans are encouraged to use October to recognise the role and sacrifice older persons made in attaining freedom for our country. It is the duty of all fellow citizens, not only government, to give extra care to our older persons and vulnerable groups,” Cabinet said.
Cabinet said government’s social assistance programme is built on a firm belief that social security assistance is a basic human right and key to restoring the dignity of citizens. In South Africa, social grants bring financial relief to millions of households.
Annual Thusong Service Centre Week
Government recently concluded this year’s Annual Thusong Service Centre Week, which took place from 18 - 22 September under the theme “The Year of OR Tambo – Advancing Small Medium and Micro Enterprises at Thusong Service Centres”.
Thusong Service Centre Week formed part of Public Service Month. It was an opportunity for government to showcase its services to the people.
The programme reaches approximately six million beneficiaries every year through the Integrated Mobile Outreach Programme, the Annual Thusong Service Centre Week and other Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) platforms.
“Through this programme, government continues to redress the imbalances of the past by bringing quality public services closer to communities previously marginalised from the mainstream of socio-economic development.”
Cabinet said Thusong Service Centres also empower communities with the necessary skills and training to better their lives, through existing partnerships with government, parastatals and the private sector.
“Cabinet reiterates the call to communities to continue using Thusong Service Centres to access basic services such as Home Affairs, Labour, Justice, South African Social Security Agency and the Road Accident Fund.”
Heritage Month
As Heritage Month concludes, Cabinet has thanked South Africans for partaking in events to celebrate heritage. South Africa commemorates Heritage Day on 24 September annually.
Cabinet has welcomed the agreement between South Africa and Tanzania, which is aimed at preserving the history of the liberation struggle. Last week, South Africa and Tanzania signed various agreements to cooperate in the areas of culture, heritage and preservation of South Africa’s struggle history for liberation.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and his Tanzanian counterpart, Minister Harrison M Wakyembe, held a meeting in Dodoma, Tanzania’s administrative capital, where the two agreed to work together to ensure the Roads to Independence in Africa project is implemented across all SADC countries.
“The United Nations has endorsed the implementation of the Roads to Independence in Africa project. It is a celebration of the spirit of solidarity and cooperation amongst Africa’s liberation movements and will see the construction of a museum, library and archives,” said Cabinet. – SAnews.gov.za
