MEC in uplifting visit to schools
THE social development department led by MEC Nancy Sihlwayi spent three days visiting poor families and schools in Sterkstroom that did not do well in last year’s matric exams as part of the International Day of Families last week.
The department declared May as family month with the focus on empowering poor, vulnerable and marginalised people through the promo- tion of self-reliant programmes and interventions aimed at building human dignity and a sense of belonging in families.
Sihlwayi visited Siyaphakama High School in Sterkstroom on Monday, Zolani High School and Zamokuhle High School, after spending two days handing out food parcels to families.
She later donated a refrigerator and furniture she had earlier promised teachers in Zamokuhle.
Sihlwayi also donated R140 000 to the Lukhanji-Inkwanca Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol (Tada), an NGO dealing with drug and alcohol abuse by teenagers.
Addressing a public meeting in Whittlesea, Sihlwayi said the department had a family-based programme which served to remove children from the streets.
She urged focus in that “children must know what they want in life” and called on parents to take care of children and not to abuse them.
“Parents do not swear at their children, they do not fight in front of their children and they do not get drunk and beat each other in front of their children.”
Abused children did not do well at school.
“I am here to say no to abuse of any form against children. There are children who are victims because of parents who are not good role models.
“When a child grows up seeing you doing bad things they will do the same,” she said.
Poverty played a major role in people’s behaviour, but the department’s duty was to bring hope and support people in restoring their dignity.