BRINGING HOPE CLOSER TO HOME: SERVICES REACH GA-MATSHWI YOUTH

By Nonhlakanipho Masola.

• A government outreach held in Mokwakwaila Village brought essential services directly to the people, helping bridge the gap between government and remote communities.
• Youth from nearby villages, like Ga-Matshwi, shared real stories of hardship and received on-the-spot support, including grant registration and health services.
• ⁠The initiative marked the official closure of Child Protection Month, reinforcing government’s commitment to reaching vulnerable children and families where they live.

For many young people in remote villages like Ga-Matshwi, accessing basic government services is often a long and frustrating journey, both literally and emotionally. But on 07 June 2025, that journey was shortened for hundreds of residents when the Department of Social Development, together with stakeholders such as SASSA and the Departments of Health and Home Affairs, hosted a life-changing outreach in Mokwakwaila Village near Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo.
Held at Mokwakwaila Community Hall, the community outreach took place alongside the official closing engagement of Child Protection Month. It formed part of the broader 365 Days Programme of Action on Ending Violence Against Children and brought vital services directly to the community.

“I Was Finally Heard”

Ntsako Mahowa (19), a resident of Ga-Matshwi, walked more than 20 minutes to reach the venue. She was desperate for help with her R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant after discovering that her phone number had been fraudulently used by someone else.
“I went to the local SASSA office before, but their systems were always down. I was starting to lose hope,” she said. “Today I was finally helped. The mobile SASSA team fixed the issue and registered me properly. I’m so relieved, because I really need this money. I live with my unemployed parents and nine siblings. Some of them have children of their own, and our household is really struggling.”
Her case was resolved on-site, showing the impact of bringing services to the doorstep of those in need.

“This Was My Only Chance”

For 17-year-old Molewa Motlatso, also from Ga-Matshwi, the visit was a spontaneous decision that became life-changing. “I was on my way home from Saturday school classes when I saw the event happening. I decided to stop and ask for help,” she said with a smile.
Molewa had long needed to visit a clinic but had never managed to do so due to distance and school commitments. “I live far from the clinic, and I’m always at school. I’ve never had the chance before today,” she said. Thanks to one of the mobile clinics present, Molewa received the help and referral she had been waiting for.

A Sector-Wide Commitment to Protection

The outreach was about more than just service delivery. It was also about restoring dignity and creating safe spaces for children and youth. Officials from the Department of Social Development and its partners listened, responded, and ensured that each person left with more than assistance. They left with hope.
By taking services to where people live, especially in high-risk areas like Greater Letaba Municipality, known for high rates of gender-based violence and child abuse, the department continues to demonstrate a people-centred approach to protection and care.
As one official remarked, “You can’t protect children from behind a desk. You need to go to where they are and listen to what they need.”
And in Mokwakwaila, that is exactly what happened.