GAUTENG MEC URGES COMMUNITIES TO ESTABLISH NPOS TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT REACH THE MOST VULNERABLE

By Phetoho Maja

• The residents of Phola Park, Tokoza in Ekurhuleni, have been encouraged to set up non-profit organisations that will assist the government in supporting families in need.
• During an integrated service delivery blitz to Tokoza, the MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, urged families in need to visit their nearest funded Community Nutrition and Development Centre to access daily hot meals.
• She also advised residents to make use of funded NPOs that provide skills development programmes aimed at fighting hunger and empowering families to provide for themselves.

Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has urged residents of Phola Park in Tokoza, Ekurhuleni, to establish and register non-profit organisations (NPOs) in their respective wards, reiterating that this will assist the government in reaching deeper into communities and supporting families in need.

MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko was speaking during the integrated service delivery blitz held at the Phola Park Community Hall on Thursday, 14 May 2026.

“No child or family should go to bed on an empty stomach,” she said, urging families who cannot afford daily meals to visit their nearest funded Community Nutrition and Development Centre to access daily hot meals.

These centres are supported by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to address immediate hunger while promoting community development.

“Through this programme, we have visited hostels across the province, and we are pleased to witness that families facing socio-economic challenges in hostels are receiving daily hot meals,” she said.

“We understand that our people cannot rely on food parcels forever, which is why we have introduced seeds and seedlings as part of the support package, enabling communities to establish backyard food gardens,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

She urged residents to make use of funded NPOs, where they can access services and skills development programmes aimed at fighting hunger and empowering families to provide for themselves.

The service delivery blitz brought together various government departments, entities and funded NPOs to provide accessible and coordinated services to the Phola Park community.