LETHABONG COMMUNITY CARE CENTRE VULNERABLE GROUPS AND CREATES LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

By Nonhlakanipho Masola

•  Lethabong Community Care Centre provides daily nutritious meals to 440 beneficiaries and has reached 7,064 individuals with psychosocial support services.
• The DSD-funded centre has created 40 local jobs and delivers integrated services addressing poverty, unemployment, GBV, and child vulnerability.
• Minister Sisisi Tolashe praised the centre’s holistic approach and described it as a model of excellence that should be replicated nationally.

Lethabong Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) is a Department of Social Development (DSD)-funded non-profit organisation established in February 2015 to address a range of social challenges affecting the Lethabong community. The organisation operates in Ward 28 and extends its services to residents of Ward 27, ensuring broader community reach and impact.

The centre formed part of the Ministerial Outreach Programme in the North-West Province, during which the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, conducted an oversight visit to assess service delivery and engage directly with beneficiaries and staff. Key social challenges identified in the area include substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, gender-based violence, school dropout, and crime, underscoring the critical role played by community-based organisations.
Lethabong Community Care Centre has made a significant contribution to local economic development by creating 40 employment opportunities for community members. The organisation is governed by a seven-member board, which meets quarterly, while a 12-member management committee oversees daily operations, ensuring accountability and effective service delivery.
The centre offers a comprehensive package of integrated services aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable individuals and households. These include psychosocial support, educational assistance, health and nutrition programmes, household economic strengthening, life and skills development, early childhood development (ECD), child care and protection services, HIV and AIDS interventions, social and behavioural change programmes, support groups, sports activities, and participation in the Community Nutrition and Development Centre (CNDC) programme.
Lethabong Community Care Centre currently provides daily nutritious meals to 440 beneficiaries. To date, psychosocial support services have reached 7,064 beneficiaries, comprising 4,079 orphans and vulnerable children, 315 youth, 1,549 adults, and 1,121 older persons. In addition, 222 beneficiaries have participated in various development programmes, while 50 young people have received soft skills and work-readiness training, enhancing their employability and life prospects.
One of the centre’s success stories is that of Ms Tshegofatso Molefe (27), from Lethabong village, who is currently employed as a gardener at the centre. Ms Molefe joined the organisation in 2026 following a referral from a neighbour. She previously benefited from the centre’s services, including access to daily meals, and now takes pride in contributing to the same community that once supported her. She described the centre as a positive and supportive work environment, highlighting strong professional relationships with colleagues and supervisors.
During her visit, Minister Sisisi Tolashe expressed her appreciation for the centre’s impactful and holistic work, noting that it was among the most meaningful initiatives she has encountered since assuming office. She further indicated that her engagements in the North-West Province during the Seventh Administration have been more frequent than in any other province.
“I have visited the North-West more than any other province, and today I am touring one of the most important centres that addresses our social challenges and holistically implements our mandate,” said Minister Tolashe.
The Minister extended her gratitude to the Director-General, as well as the Chief Executive Officers of SASSA and the National Development Agency (NDA), for facilitating the visit. She emphasised the importance of oversight visits in enabling leadership to fully appreciate the realities of service delivery on the ground.
“Without these visits, we would not be able to truly understand and experience the important work taking place. I listened to social workers who spoke with great knowledge, passion and commitment about the services they provide,” she said.
Minister Tolashe commended the centre’s staff for their dedication, noting that their commitment reflects a deep sense of service to communities. She encouraged the organisation’s management and board to strengthen partnerships beyond government funding to enhance sustainability and expand services.
“You are partners of the department. While government provides support, organisations must also work towards sustainability by forming strategic partnerships and extending services through satellite centres,” she said.
The Minister also underscored the importance of accountable leadership, stating that effective governance is essential for meaningful service delivery.
“Our people are tired. Young people should not wake up every day to burn tyres, destroy libraries or disrupt services because of unemployment and inequality. South Africans deserve committed and responsible leadership that honours the sacrifices made for our democracy,” she added.
Minister Tolashe reaffirmed the Department of Social Development’s continued support for community-based initiatives, highlighting that there are successful models across the country from which others can learn. She cited NDA-supported projects that empower young people through agriculture and sustainable livelihoods, noting that the Lethabong Community Care Centre is another example of excellence worthy of replication nationwide.