By Tendai Dhliwayo
AS part of its poverty alleviation strategy, Gauteng's department of Social Services and Population Development has opened a development centre in Thembelihle, Vlakfontein - south of Johannesburg.
"We are trying to create markets that will sustain themselves. There will be programmes to help people establish small businesses such as sewing projects," said department spokesperson, Senzeni Ngubeni.
Apart from self-help projects, communities can also benefit from skills development programmes that will be offered at the centre, such as computer and Internet skills. HIV/Aids education will also be available.
"These centres, which are set to serve as nucleus of development and bring together different poverty alleviation initiatives in communities, will focus largely on sustainable and self-reliant projects," added Ngubeni.
"We will be rolling out these development centres throughout the whole Gauteng province in phases, thus also our first line of defence is to absorb and register everyone who qualifies for social grants in our social security system in order to avoid unnecessary congestion," said Angie Motshekga, Social Services and Population Development MEC.
