Pretoria - The Social Development Department will go on a three-day visit to the North West rural communities as part of the department's campaign to create public awareness of the department's programmes.
Deputy Minister Maria Ntuli, who is spearheading the 'Taking DSD to communities' campaign, and North West MEC for Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi, will from 10 - 12 August visit the Taung community.
Themed 'Listening to the heartbeat of communities', the campaign aims to create awareness of the department's services to tackle socio-economic challenges including poverty, HIV and Aids, social exclusion, child protection and substance abuse.
It also seeks to strengthen and mobilise communities, strengthen service delivery partnerships though promotion of constructive engagement between the department, its agencies as well as communities.
"Taking DSD to the communities campaign is anchored on the firm belief that community development will never take off the ground unless there is intimate interaction between government and the people we serve," Mokomele-Mothibi said.
North West Premier Thandi Modise, Executive Mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Mayor of Naledi Molopo local municipality, traditional leaders, councillors and community based organisations will form part of the campaign.
Activities to take place during the visit will include community dialogues to be held on 10 August at Letlhapung village and Magogong village.
A stakeholder consultation and door-to-door campaign to be held on 11 August at Manthe, Tlapeng, Matsheng, Dryharts and Sitting Pollar. The visits will end in Leshobo Village on 12 August 2011.
