BRINGING SERVICES CLOSER TO COMMUNITIES: MINISTER TOLASHE CONCLUDES NATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS IN KIMBERLEY DURING HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH

By Tholakele Makena

• ⁠Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe concludes nationwide outreach, reinforcing government’s commitment to accessible and people-centred service delivery.
• Community voices in Kimberley highlight critical issues affecting persons with disabilities, social support systems, and service accessibility.
• Powerful testimony of recovery underscores the transformative impact of DSD-funded substance abuse interventions.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, has formally concluded her nationwide oversight and outreach initiative for the 2025/2026 financial year. This was achieved through an Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) held in Roodepan, Kimberley, on 26 March 2026. The visit marked the culmination of extensive engagements undertaken across various provinces to strengthen service delivery and bring essential social development services closer to communities.

Taking place during Human Rights Month, the outreach underscored the importance of ensuring that all citizens have access to the services they deserve. The initiative reaffirmed government’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of communities by making services more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to their needs.

During the financial year, Minister Tolashe led targeted interventions aimed at addressing critical social challenges, including poverty, gender-based violence, and substance abuse. These efforts also focused on improving access to government support services, particularly for vulnerable groups. The Kimberley outreach built on this momentum by creating a platform for direct engagement between government and community members, reinforcing the Department’s commitment to people-centred and responsive social development.

During an oversight visit to a Department of Social Development (DSD)-funded project at the Northern Cape Substance Abuse Centre, Mr Austwille Buffel (29) from Greenpoint, Kimberley, shared a compelling testimony of recovery and resilience. Having remained drug-free for five years, Mr Buffel expressed profound gratitude to the centre for the care, support, and rehabilitation services he received. He reflected on the hardships he had endured, including dropping out of school due to substance abuse, and highlighted how the intervention enabled him to rebuild his life and regain a sense of purpose. His story stands as a powerful example of the transformative impact of DSD-funded programmes in restoring dignity and offering renewed hope.

In addition, Mr Harry Setlogelo raised critical concerns affecting persons with disabilities within the community. He highlighted challenges such as limited accessibility in public spaces, particularly for wheelchair users who are often unable to navigate buildings with stairs. He also noted that persons with disabilities frequently endure long queues at healthcare facilities without adequate assistance and pointed to the shortage of specialised schools, with only one school catering to children with disabilities in the area.

Mr Setlogelo further addressed issues of social stigma, indicating that children with speech impairments are often subjected to ridicule within communities. He called for greater compassion, fairness, and inclusion from both families and society at large. He also raised concerns regarding the misuse of child support grants by some caregivers, emphasising the need for accountability to ensure that such support benefits the intended recipients.

The engagements in Kimberley conveyed a clear message: effective service delivery is strengthened when communities are heard and actively involved. The experiences shared and concerns raised during the visit will continue to inform government interventions, while stories of recovery and resilience serve as a reminder of the impact that accessible and responsive services can have in transforming lives.