20 Nov 2016

The increasing numbers of permanent destitue people in Good Hope Sub-district are worrisome.

Addressing the sub-district council meeting recently, chairperson, Ms Maobene Molefe said there had been an increase of 126 from last quarter, making a total of 3 930 registered permanent destitute people  this quarter.

She indicated that the numbers increase every quarter, therefore implored all stakeholders to come with strategies that would reduce destitution in the district.

She further noted that under social welfare department, efforts were made to curb the increasing numbers of cases involving vulnerable children.

She noted that a total of 27 care givers had been engaged through workshops last month in Mmathethe to assist on the issue.

Ms Molefe noted that the department still had 16 cases registered.

On other issues, Ms Molefe said the gender affairs department had funded six projects in Good Hope sub-district.

But only two projects were operational while the rest had collapsed; the projects were funded at a cost of P1 034, 381, 10.

She indicated that projects collapse mainly because of group dynamics.

Although the department made several attempts to resuscitate such projects, Ms Molefe said they were futile.

Nevertheless, she said the department has since realized that most people are not comfortable to work in groups, and that the guidelines for the Women Economic empowerment program have changed in order to address the problems.

She added that Gender Affairs department has newly funded projects for 2016/2017 financial year under the Women Economic Empowerment program.

She said there are 11 projects of which eight falls under Goodhope/Mabule constituency while the remaining three are under Mmathethe/Molapowabojang constituency; adding that these projects were funded at a total cost of P1 994, 872, 68.

Of poverty eradication projects, Ms Molefe noted that the P1 000 000 amount which was disbursed to implement poverty eradication projects in the Good Hope Sub district in June this year was exhausted and another P1 395, 630 00 disbursed in October this year.

The latter, she said was disbursed for funding of projects and training of poverty eradication beneficiaries. ENDS