Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa launches the anti-poverty programme with Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Minister of Health, at his side Picture: THOMAS THALE

Roll up to help the hospitals Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, this week appealed to the public to join him and other members of the provincial government in doing voluntary work at health institutions across the province. During the launch of the Zivuseni job creation programme at the Chris Hani Baragwanath (CHB) hospital, the premier handed a certificate launching the volunteer programme to Greg Broekman, the CEO of the CHB hospital. Dressed in overalls, the premier and provincial MECs on Tuesday cleaned up the Tembisa hospital in the East Rand. On Wednesday, the delegation spent the day cleaning up various health centres around Soweto, including the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, clinics in Orlando, Dobsonville, Mofolo and Diepkloof and the Sizwile School for the deaf in Dobsonville. Members of the Provincial Government could be seen cutting grass, doing laundry and sweeping floors at the Soweto health centres they visited. "Come forward and register to assist nurses or to do clerical work. We need you," Shilowa said. Manto Tshabalala Msimang, the Minister of Health, appealed to South Africans to volunteer in the spirit of social responsibility and moral regeneration. "We already have doctors from Tunisia who come here to perform cataract operations free of charge. The Taiwanese Government has donated 142 wheelchairs to the Health Department. Join us in making South Africa a caring society," the Minister pleaded. To make the system organized and controlled, volunteers are required to fill in registration forms specifying what work they want to do, when and how often.

Gauteng declares war on poverty April 11, 2002 By Thomas Thale GAUTENG province has launched a multi-million rand job creation initiative designed to alleviate poverty by creating jobs for unskilled workers in labour intensive sectors. Called Zivuseni, the programme will benefit about 100 000 participants over a 5-year period, at a cost of R1-billion to the province. Unemployed and unskilled workers will be paid a stipend of R40 per day for their participation in the programme. "Zivuseni is a programme aimed at providing subsistence wages to a number of unskilled and unemployed people, while at the same time imparting both functional and life skills to enable people to escape the safety net," said Caswell Mthombeni, the Zivuseni project manager. Unemployment in Gauteng is currently estimated at about 30%. The programme is meant to benefit impoverished communities around the province, especially women, the youth and the disabled. "We will alleviate poverty by promoting self-reliance through activities that emphasise the renewal of community assets," said Khabisi Mosunkutu, MEC of Public Transport, Roads and Works in Gauteng. Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, who launched the programme, said that in addition to creating jobs, Zivuseni will also "aim to develop small and emerging contractors with growth potential as viable and sustainable entities that could participate meaningfully in the broader economy of the province," Shilowa said. The programme will see participants engage in labour intensive activities such as repairing buildings, constructing roads, painting, roofing, repairing and replacing ceilings, fencing and cleaning storm water channels. The aim is for the beneficiaries to acquire skills which will enable them to pursue independent careers once the programme comes to an end. "The training should cover both functional / technical and life skills," Mosunkutu added. Shilowa said that the programme will harness existing labour and lead to people taking pride in their environment. He called on participants not to abuse the system by taking part in the programme whilst at the same time accessing Government grants. He also called on people to register as volunteers at health centres around the province. The premier, Gauteng MECs and some national ministers were dressed in overalls and due to do volunteer work at various centres around Soweto. Speaking at the launch, the Manto Tshabalala Msimang, the National Minister of Health, identified TB as the worst infection afflicting South Africans. "Poverty relief is a lifeline for those who have not benefited from development. Where poverty thrives, disease flourishes. We are one of the 22 countries with the worst TB infection rate in the world. We need volunteers to help us reduce this rate of infection," the Minister said.