MEC SHINGA INTERVENES TO SUPPORT ORPHANED SIBLINGS IN EDUMBE

By Tevor Khuzwayo

• MEC Shinga visited a vulnerable family of four orphaned siblings and provided social relief of distress and immediate support.
• ⁠Long-Term Empowerment Measures: She committed to enrolling the older siblings in youth development programmes for skills training and empowerment.
• Collaborative Interventions: The Ward Councilor pledged employment for the elder sister, and MEC Shinga called on other departments to coordinate additional, holistic support for the family.

Ward 8, eDumbe, KwaZulu-Natal – 28 May 2025
During her Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) oversight programme in eDumbe, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Honourable Ms Mbali Shinga visited the Mkhize family—a youth-headed household of four who lost their parents at an early age.
The family survives on the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which they report is not always paid consistently. They had previously been living in a shack, but through government intervention, a house has since been built for them.
As part of immediate relief efforts, MEC Shinga presented the family with social relief distress and committed to ensuring further support. She highlighted the need for the two older siblings to be prioritized at youth development centres to access training and empowerment opportunities.
The Ward Councilor also pledged support by committing to employ the elder sister to help stabilize the family’s income.
MEC Shinga underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to tackling poverty and supporting vulnerable households such as the Mkhize family. She urged different government departments and non-governmental organisations to come together to develop sustainable interventions that go beyond immediate relief. By creating pathways to education, employment, and emotional support, she emphasized that such collaborative efforts could transform the lives of families in need, offering them hope and stability for the future.
The MEC also highlighted the success of Operation Sukuma Sakhe in fostering unity and collective responsibility among communities and stakeholders. She expressed her gratitude towards the local leaders, community members, and volunteers who are actively involved in uplifting their neighbors. Their dedication, she said, is a testament to the resilience and compassion of the people of eDumbe.
The MEC called on other government departments present to coordinate further interventions, ensuring the family is fully supported across all areas of need.