DSD hands over 229 vehicles to NPOs
The social development department is helping the NPOs which were negatively affected by Covid-19.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) handed over 229 vehicles to NPOs that provide services to vulnerable people and communities as part of Social Development Month, observed annually in October.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on October 27 at Wembley Stadium, Turffontein, Social Development MEC Morakane Mosupyoe said NPOs that received the vehicles should safeguard them because they were purchased through taxpayers’ money.
“We spent approximately R95-million on these vehicles. We are proud to say that out of the 229 vehicles purchased, 114 will be used for older persons programmes. This is an indication of the department’s commitment to care for and ensure the dignity of our elders is preserved,” she said.
DSD remains focused on intervention programmes regarding older persons.
“Our focus is on community-based services to protect and promote the rights of older persons. Over the years, we have found that the provision of community based social infrastructure for older persons has contributed immensely to the reduction of incidents of abuse and neglect of the elderly,” said Mosupyoe.
The department has also committed to fighting the scourge of gender-based violence in communities. Through the Victim Empowerment Programme, they provide support services to victims of gender-based violence and all forms of abuse and advocate for community efforts to end violence.
“We will continue to implement awareness programmes in all sections of society. We will continue to link victims of violence to economic opportunities, and we will continue to ensure the participation of victims of violence in skills development programmes.
“As an indication to our commitment to ending violence, 38 of the vehicles purchased are for services dedicated to women,” said Mosupyoe.
Due to the pandemic, most of the NPOs were negatively affected. This was due to an unstable economy and precariousness that led to numerous companies’ reduction in Corporate Social Investment, thus affecting the NPO sector negatively.
“Our responsibility was to ensure we support our NPOs. It is pleasing that we are able to illustrate support to our NPOs because they provide services in our communities to people who need them the most.
“Growing Gauteng Together (GGT) 2030 stipulates that as Gauteng Provincial Government, we must commit to education, skills revolution, health, safety, social cohesion and food security. As DSD, we are delighted that through our efforts we are able to contribute meaningfully to the GGT2030 vision.
Through these vehicles, our objective is to accelerate service delivery by ensuring NPOs can provide their services with greater ease,” she said.
The MEC has pleaded with the recipients of vehicles to ensure the vehicles are branded timeously to ensure their security.
