IT IS MORE THAN SOCIAL A GRANT

Mashudu Mzimba

• A visit yesterday at Umlazi Cinema Hall in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) by Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, orchestrated a celebration for Social Grants Beneficiaries who completed matric in 2023, shedding light on the significant impact of Social Assistance.

• Thobekile Goba (19) and Philang Mohoto (19) shared their aspirations and gratitude for the government’s support, expressing their determination to give back to their communities.
• Thabo Ntuli (22) shared his passion for teaching, inspired by his experiences, while Sindiwe Goba, a single mother and social grant recipient, expressed gratitude for the government’s support for her family.

Yesterday, Thobekile Goba (19) and other Social Grants Beneficiaries welcomed Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu to Umlazi Cinema Hall in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The Minister’s visit was a tribute to their success in completing matric in 2023, underscoring the significance of investment and Social Assistance in their lives.

“I am looking forward to studying Geoinformatics, I also want to be part of the people who bring change,” said Thobekile. 

Thobekile expressed gratitude to the Minister of Social Development and the government for their support from her childhood through matric. She urged the government to continue assisting South Africans in need. “I want to encourage every young person that as long as you put in the work, you can achieve anything; it does not matter where you come from,” she added.

“I am happy that my NFSAS application was successful and I look forward to studying civil engineering at Durban University of Technology (DUT),” said Philang Mohoto (19) from Masumbuka High School. 

I am thankful for what the Government has been doing to support me and my family through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) “When I finish studying and working I will start my student funding to assist the Government and contribute to bettering my community because I know the impact of being assisted in achieving your dreams by someone who does not want you to remain poor,” said Philang.

“This Government has played a big role in assisting my unemployed mother, myself and siblings through the Social Grants,” said Thabo Ntuli (22).

Thabo added “My passion for teaching and helping others comprehend better inspired me to take the teaching path as a career, because I want to help children in my community to learn better and not drop out due to not being able to grasp information like others. I also want to help children whom teachers and society deem not teachable.” 

Sindiwe Goba, a 45-year-old single mother of five kids and an R350 recipient who lives in Kenville is thankful to the Government and SASSA for giving her social grants so that she can look after children. 

She is very grateful for the special day organised by the Government to honour her daughter Thobekile Goba and the other children.

Pictures by Mashudu Mzimba