Minister Lindiwe Zulu Conducts Pre-SoNA Outreach Programme In The Western Cape

In anticipation of the final State of the Nation Address under the sixth administration, Minister of Social Development, Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, is embarking on an outreach programme with a primary focus on the essential societal issues of teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and the welfare of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in and around the City of Cape Town.

The spotlight of the outreach programme falls first on the Cape Town Society for the Blind, a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) dedicated to training and skills development for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Minister Zulu, accompanied by the Ambassador of Turkey, recently visited the NGO to inaugurate a refurbished basket workshop.

Supported by the National Development Agency, an entity under the Department of Social Development, the centre’s low Vision Clinic and Braille programmes have been pivotal in providing free vision eye health care and screening to economically disadvantaged members of society experiencing eyesight issues. This initiative extends the invaluable gift of sight to those who might otherwise lack access.

On the same day, Minister Zulu will conclude her outreach efforts by turning the focus to the Sozo Foundation, a local NPO situated in the Cape Flats. The foundation takes centre stage in youth development programmes, specifically tailored for young individuals not engaged in education, employment, or training. The foundation’s mission is to combat prevalent issues such as high rates of school dropout, gangsterism, and youth unemployment in the area by establishing pathways for skills development and encouraging youth-led enterprises.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Thursday, 8 February 2024 at 7 pm.