MINISTER SISISI TOLASHE TO MEET OLDER PERSONS IN KRAAIFONTEIN

• Minister Sisisi Tolashe will visit the Kraaifontein Home for the Aged before tabling the Department of Social Development’s Budget Vote 19 for the 2024/25 financial year.
• The visit follows the assault of 82-year-old Sindiwe Ngqaza by her 19-year-old grandson, an incident that garnered significant attention on social media and led to the grandson’s arrest.
• The budget vote, themed “Reigniting the Role of Families,” aims to put families at the centre of service delivery, highlighting their crucial role as the first line of defence for their members.

Ahead of presenting the Department of Social Development’s Budget Vote 19 for the 2024/25 financial year, Minister Sisisi Tolashe will visit the Kraaifontein Home for the Aged. This visit comes in the wake of a disturbing incident where 82-year-old Sindiwe Ngqaza was assaulted by her 19-year-old grandson, Luvo Ngqaza. The attack, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, led to the arrest of the grandson, who has since appeared in court and been released on warning, with strict conditions. The case is set for another hearing on 27 September.

The budget vote, to be tabled under the theme “Reigniting the Role of Families,” emphasises the importance of families as the cornerstone of societal support and service delivery. Minister Tolashe’s visit to the home is part of a broader initiative to address the critical issue of family violence and its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly.

During her visit, Minister Tolashe will engage with Sindiwe Ngqaza and other residents, underscoring the Department’s commitment to providing ongoing psychosocial support to both the elderly victim and the grandson. The incident highlights the urgent need for strengthened family structures and support systems to prevent such occurrences and ensure the safety and well-being of all family members.

The Department of Social Development has already begun providing support to the Ngqaza family and will continue to do so as part of its broader mandate to support families and communities. The upcoming budget vote will detail initiatives aimed at empowering families, providing resources for their development, and reinforcing their role as the primary support system for their members.

As Minister Tolashe prepares to present the budget, her visit to the Kraaifontein Home for the Aged serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by families and the critical role that social support systems play in addressing these issues. The budget vote will outline the Department’s plans and commitments for the coming year, with a focus on enhancing family support services and ensuring that families remain at the heart of social development efforts in South Africa.