Page 10 - DSD ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2

PART A: GENERAL INFORMATION

4 STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER

Championing Change, Asikhulume on GBVF Interfaith Sector Forum
and further engagements with the non-formalised faith-based
sector through the Pastor’s Wives platform, Village-to-Village
targeting tribal authorities in dealing with gender stereotypes and
harmful cultural practices, and dialogues with sex workers.

In addition, we continued with the operations of the Gender-
Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC), which had over 74 000
interactions using the various channels of communication such as
calls, USSD’s (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data) in a form
of “please call me” short messages and SMSes as well as Skype line
(help me GBV) for the deaf community. We also refurbished Shelters
for victims of GBVF throughout the provinces in partnership with
our private sector partners. All these efforts contributed to the
government’s priority on Social Cohesion and Safe Communities.

In implementing the Department’s Anti-Gangsterism Strategy, we
undertook activities in nine (9) high-risk districts namely: Gert
Sibande and Ehlanzeni Districts in Mpumalanga, Buffalo City in
Eastern Cape, Mopani and Vhembe District in Limpopo, Amajuba
District in KwaZulu-Natal, Lejweleputswa District in Free State,
Dr Ruth Mompati District in North West and Johannesburg Metro
in Gauteng. The implementation of this strategy, has created
awareness of the causes of gangsterism and bullying and afforded
a platform for people to share how they are affected by gangsterism
as individuals, families and communities. It further taught children
During the period under review, we continued to implement a how to reach out for help when they feel bullied and/or are
range of policies, laws and programmes in intensifying our efforts pressured into joining gangs.
to fight poverty, improve the lives of ordinary South Africans and
move them towards sustainable livelihoods. This report outlines During the period under review, we implemented the Universal
our achievements in all key areas of work and bears testimony to Treatment Curriculum (UTC) in seven (7) public treatment centres
our continued determination to realise these goals. namely; Nkangala Treatment Centre in Mpumalanga, Northern
Cape Substance Dependency Centre in Northern Cape, Seshego
Social Development remains a key player in improving the lives Treatment Centre in Limpopo, Newlands Park Treatment Centre
of the majority of our population. As such, we strengthened our in KwaZulu-Natal, FF Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Gauteng and JB
efforts to expand our services to people with disabilities, victims of Marks Treatment Centre in North West. This has strengthened the
gender-based violence, the elderly, those who use drugs, and those provision of evidence-based treatment modalities and application
affected by HIV and AIDS, among others. of treatment tools for Substance Use Disorders concerning
treatment, care, rehabilitation, recovery and support. We also
With regards to our mandate and commitment to improving the conducted capacity-building training on the National Drug Master
lives of persons with disabilities, we have finalised the Policy on Plan (NDMP) 2019-2024 in Limpopo and Northern Cape in March
Social Development Services to Persons with Disabilities. This 2022.
Policy, which will be submitted to Cabinet in the next financial
year, will ensure that DSD focuses on the social development The NDMP 2019-2024 emphasises the importance of participatory
directives contained in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons interventions. In this regard, we launched provincial South African
with Disabilities (WPRPD). We have also introduced Respite Care Network of People Who Use Drugs structures in KwaZulu-Natal and
Services, which are non-institutional-based services targeting Free State provinces. These provincial structures will ensure that
families of persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses. We people who use drugs speak with a unified voice and have a peer-
developed the guidelines as well as an implementation plan for support system.
Respite Care Services and are gearing towards its implementation.
Through donor funding from the German Development Bank,
Another milestone is the implementation of the National Strategic we are building Community Care Centres (CCCs) in KwaZulu-
Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), particularly Natal, Limpopo and North West provinces. Since the start of the
Pillars: 2, 3 and 4. We conducted integrated campaigns at institutions partnership, a total of fourteen (14) CCCs have been completed.
of higher learning, focusing on youth and their social behaviour. These include three (3) CCCs in North West which were officially
We also implemented other programmes such as Men and Boys

10 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22