Centre nurtures hope for vulnerable women
SOCIAL Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has encouraged the support of community gardens, saying this can empower vulnerable women – as a flourishing initiative at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children has shown.
Zulu visited the centre in Manenberg yesterday as part of an outreach programme where she interacted with management, staff, GBVF survivors and residents.
Zulu also donated R337600 to the Mhani Gingi Trust, a social entrepreneurship venture that works in partnership with the centre.
Zulu said support, especially from national and provincial governments, should stream in towards initiatives which the Saartjie Baartman Centre had embarked on.
The women at the centre use the produce from the garden to cook for themselves and for needy residents.
“What is most exciting is the new technology because the last time I was here I did not trust the soil because it didn’t look rich. They are being creative in expanding the gardens,” she said.
Financial manager Shumeeze Johaardien said the centre would strengthen its partnership with the government and other NGOs.
In a pre-Sona engagement today, Zulu will visit the Sassa Bellville local office where she will interact with social grant beneficiaries and applicants.
She will later also conduct a site visit in Mfuleni to interact with staff members of Gwebsa, a National Development Agency (NDA) supported project, and NDA volunteers.