SASSA’s hand of help is welcomed

POOR families in the Makhuduthamaga area, in Sekhukhune, recently benefitted from a social relief programme by the South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the department of health and social development.

Some 100 families received food parcels over the weekend.

Councillor for ward 14, Ntsebeng Tshela, said the people who benefitted from this relief were mostly women and child headed families.

“We wanted to help poor families in our area and presented their names to the department for screening. Those who qualified were helped by the department. The ward committee and king of Sekhukhune land helped us identify poor families,” he said.

California Mogale (22) from Ga-Sekele village in Schoonoord, said they were thankful for the relief, but that it was not enough to sustain her family. “These food parcels are smaller than we expected. Vouchers would be better than food parcels. For a family of four, this parcel will only last two weeks,” she said.

Mika Kgariye (60), also from Ga-Sekele village, said she was very excited to be on the list of people to receive help. She said she was a unemployed mother of five and her family faced poverty every day. She said she was thankful for the help they received.

Macks Lesufi, head of communications at the department of health and social development, said the social relief programme is an ongoing endeavour.

“The programme helps child headed families and widows who do not qualify for pension grants. It also helps orphans and destitute families,” he said.

Lesufi said Sassa has a mandate to identify poverty pockets and to intervene where necessary.