GOVERNMENT BLITZ FAST-TRACKS SERVICES FOR VLAKFONTEIN COMMUNITY

By Lawrence Mashabela 

• The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with various government departments and non-profit organisations (NPOs), hosted a service blitz at Igugulethu Primary Sports Ground in Vlakfontein, aimed at enhancing service delivery in vulnerable communities.
• This is part of the Responsive Service Delivery Initiative, which focuses on empowering young people and other vulnerable groups by providing essential services directly within their communities, particularly in townships and informal settlements.
• Resident Simon Mokalapa expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting the challenges faced by the unemployed in accessing services, while Tokisi Manamela from the Stakeholder Relations Directorate emphasised the importance of coordinating efforts to address the community’s needs effectively.

In a continued effort to enhance service delivery in vulnerable communities, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in collaboration with various government departments and non-profit organisations (NPOs), hosted a service blitz at Igugulethu Primary Sports Ground in Vlakfontein near Lenasia last Friday. This initiative follows a recent community dialogue aimed at addressing the pressing needs of the local population.

The service blitz is part of the government’s Responsive Service Delivery Initiative, which seeks to resolve challenges particularly affecting townships and informal settlements across Gauteng. The focus is on empowering young people and other vulnerable groups by bringing essential services directly to their communities.

A range of government departments, including Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Department of Labour, Health, and the City of Johannesburg, along with NPOs and financial institutions, were present to offer their services to residents.

Simon Mokalapa, a 47-year-old resident, accompanied his daughter to obtain her smart ID and expressed his gratitude for the initiative. “I am happy with what the Gauteng Department of Social Development has done. Many of us in townships are unemployed and cannot afford to travel far to access these services. Bringing them closer makes a huge difference,” he said. Mokalapa added that if the government could continue hosting such service delivery blitzes regularly, communities would begin to see positive changes.

Tokisi Manamela, a representative from the Stakeholder Relations Directorate, emphasised the importance of these initiatives. “This community was profiled during a door-to-door campaign, and we uncovered many challenges. After a community dialogue two weeks ago, we felt it was important to respond quickly by coordinating this integrated service delivery blitz. By involving various government departments, we aim to bridge service gaps in some of the most neglected communities,” Manamela explained.

The initiative marked a significant step toward addressing the needs of Vlakfontein, with hopes that similar efforts will continue to uplift other communities across Gauteng.