Oudtshoorn, 29 August 2023 – Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana, responsible for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation within the Presidency, visited the Greater Oudtshoorn on 24 August 2023. The central purpose of her visit was to conduct an extensive assessment of the support systems and programs extended to victims of abuse, particularly women and children, by Child Welfare South Africa in Oudtshoorn.
The visit commenced with a welcoming briefing session held at the municipality, where Deputy Minister Kekana was greeted by the Executive Mayor, Alderman Chris Macpherson. During this session, Mayor Macpherson underscored the importance of joint efforts between the different spheres of government. He expressed his eagerness for more in-depth discussions in the future, aimed at boosting efforts between local and national authorities. He pointed out that this partnership would lead to more effective approaches to addressing the challenges at hand.
The challenges that were discussed were infrastructure plans, informal settlements, government Grants, the poorest wards as well as social services and shelters for women and children. Deputy Minister Kekana visited Greater Oudtshoorn with a clear goal: finding ways to work alongside the local government and make things better.
The monitoring visit primarily focused on women’s month activities which centred on socio-economic development interventions and efforts to deal with Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The goal of this visit was to establish the levels of support provided to the victims of abuse, women, and children, as well as assess and identify challenges that require intervention from the organs of the state.
The aim was to assess the status of service delivery within the municipality and to identify sustainable interventions for enhanced implementation. Accompanied by officials from the municipality and representatives of Child Welfare South Africa, Deputy Minister Kekana conducted a thorough inspection and engaged in discussions regarding challenges and potential solutions. Child Welfare South Africa, with its focus on assisting victims of child and woman abuse, offers guidance, support, and essential resources such as clothing, toys, and toiletries.
Deputy Minister Kekana commended the ongoing efforts of Child Welfare South Africa in Oudtshoorn and urged the community to contribute through donations of clothes, toiletries, and toys for the children at their offices in High Street. This collaborative approach, between government and community, further solidifies the commitment to creating a safer and more supportive environment for those in need.
In a heartwarming venture, Deputy Minister Kekana and Ms Quedene Prins, Director of UMUSA Foundation, visited Bridgton Senior Secondary School on the same day. The visit was marked by a generous donation of school shoes in partnership with the Umusa Foundation. Addressing the students, Deputy Minister Kekana and Ms Prins delivered motivational and inspirational messages to the students. The donation of school shoes not only protects students’ feet but also serves as a symbol of the steps they take towards a brighter future.