Fish embarks on a crusade to fight against poverty

30 July 2008

In hi State of the Nation Address, President Thabo Mbeki announced 24 apex priorities that will guide the work of government in the current financial year. Out of these priorities, the Department of Health and Social Services, social development component has identified four priorities that will inform our programmes for the financial year. One of the most important of these priorities is the need to intensify war against poverty.

Mpumalanga as mostly a rural province is vastly challenged with poverty stricken families especially in the municipalities of Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge, Albert Luthuli, Dr. Js Moroka, Thembisile Hani and Pixley Ka Seme.

As part of a national effort to intensify war against poverty, the MEC for Health and Social Services Mr. Fish Mahlalela will on Saturday 02 August 2008 hand over food parcels and school uniforms to selected families in the community of Steenbok, Nkomazi Municipality. Most of these families are in distress due to high cost of food and this is emergency intervention to relieve them. The recipients of school uniforms are mostly from child headed and destitute families.

This programme will be rolled out in the other two districts in the province.

“If we are to make real dent against poverty, we need a broad partnership by all civil society organizations; churches, NGOs, community based organizations and business. We all know that poverty remains the single most obstacle towards realizing our objective of better life for all. I therefore call on everyone in the province especially business community to contribute in whatever means possible to fight poverty in the province”, said MEC Fish Mahlalela.

Media is invited .End.
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