MEC MAZIBUKO CAUTIONS PARENTS TO STOP GAMBLING WITH CHILDREN’S FUTURE

By Sipho Ncube

• The Gauteng Department of Social Development, along with the City of Tshwane, travelled to Refilwe, near Cullinan, to share information with the residents about available services.
• The MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, urged parents to stop comparing their children with others, adding: “By bargaining with your children to end poverty, you are exposing them to crime, prostitution, gender-based violence, and human trafficking.”
• The City also urged those in need to sign up for the indigents’ register for access to free municipal services.

Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko has cautioned parents against bartering with the future of their children for financial gain.

Mazibuko was speaking during a service delivery outreach programme on Friday, 14 February 2025, which brought government services closer to the residents of Refilwe, near Cullinan in the City of Tshwane.

“By bargaining with your children to end poverty, you are exposing them to crime, prostitution, gender-based violence, and human trafficking,” Mazibuko said.

“Stop comparing children to others and saying other children are hustling while yours are sitting idly at home, because that push may lead to undesirable outcomes.”

The MEC told the community that the different government departments and non-profit organisations were in Refilwe to publicise the various services available. “Take this opportunity, and use this information to better your lives,” she said.

Tshwane’s member of the mayoral committee for community and social development services, Palesa Modise, called on residents to register as indigents to access free municipal services.

“The City also provides food parcels for deserving families as part of a poverty alleviation programme. That requires an assessment by municipal social workers.”

Ward 99 councillor, Silas Makena, announced that together with various stakeholders a door-to-door campaign would be launched in search of those who wished to access a government-funded rehabilitation centre to help them quit drugs and change their lives for the better.