Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, who is also the District Development Model (DDM) champion of Amajuba, has handed over school uniforms to 128 learners from 25 schools in the district.
The handover took place on Monday at Christ the King Catholic Church in Madadeni, Newcastle.
Bogopane-Zulu encouraged the learners to stay in school in order to break the cycle of poverty through education. She emphasised that where one comes from does not necessarily dictate where they are going.
“Don’t let your current situation at home make you think you will not succeed,” Bogopane-Zulu said.
Each of the 128 learners received two vests, three undergarments, three pairs of socks, a tracksuit set, shirts, a jersey, a pair of shoes, two trousers, a tie, a skirt or tunic for girls and a belt for boys.
The month of October is Social Development Month (SDM), which is celebrated annually to mark the nation’s commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in society. This year, Social Development Month is commemorated under the theme: “Working together to eradicate poverty and other social ills”.
In line with theme, Bogopane-Zulu, in partnership with PETCO and Mpilenhle Recycling, will formalise the sectors of waste pickers and sorters.
The department designs and implements integrated development programmes aimed at community mobilisation and community development through social facilitation to raise human potential in communities.
“The department’s strategy is aimed at rooting out the causes of poverty and improving the livelihoods of poor households and communities, which is anchored on the principle that people are the drivers of their own development.
“Meaningful community development strategies should be geared toward overcoming poverty and promoting human development in all its dimensions by creating a space for communities to participate and influence decisions that affect their lives,” the department said.
The Deputy Minister will today visit the Madadeni landfill site to implement a plan to include ablution and recreation facilities.
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