COMMUNITY OUTREACH BRINGS GOVERNMENT SERVICES CLOSER TO KWANOKUTHULA RESIDENTS

By Tholakele Makena

• More than 1,300 social grant applications were processed during the ICROP outreach, bringing immediate relief to vulnerable residents.
• Minister Sisisi Tolashe reinforced family responsibility, youth development and the protection of women, children and older persons.
• Community voices highlighted urgent concerns around youth unemployment, substance abuse and gender-based violence, shaping future interventions.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, conducted an oversight and community outreach visit to KwaNokuthula Township in the Western Cape on Friday, 20 February 2026, as part of the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP). The visit focused on strengthening access to government-supported initiatives aimed at poverty eradication, job creation, social security and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).

Throughout the programme, residents utilised an array of integrated services and interacted with representatives from partner departments such as Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, and the Department of Health. The outreach initiative established a structured platform that enabled community members to voice issues affecting their daily lives while receiving support with social and administrative matters.

Addressing residents, Minister Tolashe highlighted persistent social challenges, including elder abuse, violence against women and children, and the vulnerability of domestic workers. She emphasised the value of ICROP in taking services directly to communities, particularly as the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) marks 20 years of delivering social assistance to eligible citizens.

The Minister further underscored the responsibility of families to protect children and guide young people toward positive life choices. She encouraged parents and guardians to remain actively involved in the lives of their children to help prevent teenage pregnancy and other social risks. She also cautioned against the misuse of child support grants, stressing that the funds are intended to meet children’s needs.

Concerns around prolonged gap years among youth were raised, with the Minister urging young people to avoid involvement in drugs and crime and to pursue opportunities for personal growth despite the challenges of unemployment.

The outreach achieved significant service-delivery outcomes, with approximately 1,300 grant applications processed on the day. Beneficiaries are expected to begin receiving payments from 1 March 2026. One resident, Ms Yasaka from KwaNokuthula Township, shared her relief after her disability grant was approved following several unsuccessful attempts, describing the outcome as life-changing for her family.

Youth voices were strongly represented during the community dialogue. Ms Yonela Dube, a youth representative from Ward 6, highlighted high levels of youth unemployment and its impact on mental health, noting that the lack of opportunities often contributes to substance abuse. She called for increased job opportunities, learnerships and internships, as well as stronger support for youth-focused non-profit organisations.

Ms Dube also emphasised the need for youth centres that can provide safe spaces, skills development and constructive activities to keep young people away from drugs and crime. She noted that limited opportunities in the Bitou area continue to push many young people to relocate elsewhere. Gender-based violence was identified as a critical concern affecting both youth and the broader community.

The ICROP visit to KwaNokuthula Township demonstrated the impact of coordinated government efforts in addressing social challenges while ensuring that essential services are accessible at community level. The engagement strengthened dialogue between government and residents and highlighted priority areas requiring sustained intervention and support.