Address by MEC for SocialDevelopment, Mr. M. Sokatsha at the 2015 InternationalDayfortheEradicationofPoverty: Majeng
19 October 2015
ProgrammeDirector
Honorable Members fromHouseofTraditionalLeaderspresent
HonorableCouncilorspresent
Inviteddelegatesfromvariousinstitutions
Members ofthemediahousespresent
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have gathered to commemorate the 2015 International Day for the Eradicationof PovertyhereinMajeng. Astheleadingrole-playerinthefightagainst hunger and povertywithin the NorthernCapeProvince,theDepartmentofSocialDevelopmentis joiningin the internationalfight against poverty. TheInternationalDay forthe EradicationofPovertyhasbeen observedevery year since1993,whenthe UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly,byresolution47/196, designatedthisday to promoteawareness oftheneed toeradicatepoverty and destitutioninall countries. Fightingpoverty remains at thecore oftheMillennium Development Goals (MDGs)and thedevelopmentofthepost-2015developmentagenda.Due tomajor developmentsintheProvinceweunfortunatelycouldnot observe thisday on Saturday. But we are here today with the same vigor and convictiontomake adifference inthelifeofnotonlythepeopleofMajeng, buttoallthepeopleinourProvince.
This daypresentsanopportunitytoacknowledge theeffortsand strugglesof peoplelivinginpoverty,achanceforthem tomake theirconcernsheard, and a momentto recognize that poor peopleare the first ones to fight againstpoverty.Participationofthepoor themselveshasbeenatthe center oftheDay'scelebration sinceitsverybeginning.Thecommemorationof InternationalDayfortheEradication ofPovertyalsoreflects thewillingness of peoplelivinginpoverty tousetheirexpertisetocontributetotheeradication ofpoverty. The2015CommemorationoftheInternational DayfortheEradicationof Poverty (IDEP)will be commemoratedacross the world,focusingon the theme -"Buildingasustainablefuture:Comingtogethertoendpovertyand discrimination". Thisday,LadiesandGentlemen,bearssimilaritieswithWorldFoodDay. TheaimofthisdayWorldFoodDayistoreflectandheightenpublicawareness ontheglobalstatusoffoodsecurityandtostrengthensolidarity inthestruggle againsthunger,malnutritionandpoverty3 THERIGHTTOFOOD Accesstoadequate,safeandnutritiousfoodisauniversalandafundamental humanright.Thusthisrighthasbeenarticulatedandreinforcedinanumberof binding international protocols suchasthe1996 World FoodSummit Planof Action,the Millennium DevelopmentGoalsin 2000andthe Comprehensive AfricaAgriculturalDevelopmentProgramme.
Asa global citizen and an activist developmentalstate South Africa has enshrined socialeconomic rights initsConstitution.Assuchour Bill ofRights guarantees everycitizen"the righttohaveaccessto...sufficient foodand water"and that "... theState must take reasonablelegislative and other measures/withinitsavailableresources,toachievethe progressiverealisation ofeachoftheserights."(Constitution,1996:12) Purposeofthe2015InternationalDayfortheEradicationof Poverty
The Department of Social Development notes that povertycannotbe addressedbyone singleentity,but that poverty alleviationneeds tobe an integrated effort by multiple departments, agencies and organisations, working in partnership with communities to address the multiple manifestationsofpoverty. Forthisreasonourapproach istolinkthecommunityofMajengwith various servicedelivery agenciestounderstandand getasense ofthereality ofthe poorand underdeveloped. Wehave alsobroughtalongwithus otherservice delivery partners and we met thepeopleinMajengearlier when we went door todoor tohear first handwhat challengesfacesourpeopleandhowwecan assist. Wehave theDepartmentofHome Affairshere,becausewerealisethat no one can access any service without an ID or a birth certificate. We encourageyoutomake useofthisservicetoday shouldyoube inneedof suchaservice. Wealsowant todotangiblethingstoshowcasethatgovernmentissensitive to the needs of the poor. Our presence today is testimony to the commitmentthat thisis a caring government.Wewilltraverse the furthest corners ofthisprovincetoensurethat ourpeoplereceivethe servicesand assistancethattheyareentitled to.
Forthisarea the Departmenthasmadethe followingpossible. We handed over achequetotheKatlego SoupKitchenfortheamountofR125128for the 15/16financialyear for the renderingoffood provision services to the communityofMajeng.Theyreceivedtheir1st trancheinJuly2015.Wealso madeavailabletothesameinstitution anamountofR300000forthe 15/16 financialyear forthe rolling out of community-basedprogrammes flowing fromtheCCEoutcomesintheMajengcommunity. The Department has also handedout food parcels to the needy in our community.Inadditionto thiswe have also madeavailableblanketsto be deliveredhere inMajengtothoseinneedthereof.Wehavealsoidentified25 needyschool childrenwhowillreceivevouchers forschooluniformsandwewill alsomakeavailablesouppackstoneedyfamilies. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am also pleased to announce that targeted beneficiaries of poor households will be identifiedby the Departmentand sanitarytowelswillbehandedovertoneedygirlandyoung women. Ourpartner,theNationalDevelopmentAgency,willalsomakeavailabletoysto behandedover totheEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentCentre inMajeng.Itismy firmbelievethatanactivechildisahealthyand productivechildandthesetoys willgo alongway inensuring that our childrenare sufficiently stimulatedand keptactive. TheDepartmentofSportsArtsand Culture willmake availableGoldenGames equipmenttotheKatlegoSoupKitchen fortheelderlyinthecommunityand will alsofacilitatetheestablishmentofaBookClub. LadiesandGentlementhesearejustafew ofthemany thingswe plan for the area.ButIdo believethat the AfricanNationalCongressled Governmenthas done somuchmore forourpeoplethan justtoliberate usfrom the shacklesof
Apartheid.Withthe liberation ofourpeopleourdignity hasbeenrestoredand we todaycanlook back withpride at what hasbeen achievedover thelast twenty years.Thatiswhyweshouldneverforsakethemovementthat broughtus freedom,prosperityandequality. Ladiesand Gentlemen,theeradicationofpoverty and hunger callson allofus tomakeacontributionnomatter how smallandinsignificant wemightfeel.We can startathome byplantinggardens toproducefreshfruitand vegetablesto preparenutritious meals for our families. This can be canbe expandedto communitygardens andcooperatives. Butitrequires aneffort fromallofus.Ifwe work together we can makehuge impactinourcommunity.ThiscallsforustoembracethespiritofUbuntu.Letusallworktogethertomoveourpeopleoutofpoverty. Thankyou.
