MEDIA RELEASE 17 October 2006 JOHANNESBURG'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES BENEFIT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES Programmes aimed at poverty alleviation feature high on the agenda of the City of Johannesburg's Department of Community Development. Ms Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the Member of Johannesburg's Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Community Development says the city is involved in a large number of projects aimed at supporting poor households and enabling them to improve their quality of life. Poverty alleviation receives global attention this week through the celebration of World Food Day (16 October) and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October). In partnership with the department of labour, the city is currently running more than 60 programmes for various vulnerable groups i.e. women, youth, physically challenged people and the aged across the seven regions. The programmes will assist these communities with small-scale garden farming, skills development and micro-business enterprises. In Region G (formerly region 11) at Orange Farm, it includes skill training in projects such as farming, bakery, catering, juice making, sewing, welding detergent production and communication technology. At Region D (formerly region 6 and 10) in Soweto there are successful catering programmes being run from the Senaoane Skills Development Centre and the Zola Clinic. "We are making an impact on the levels of poverty in the city," says Ms Mayathula-Khoza. "We do this through teaching people productive skills and entrepreneurial principles to enable them to start up their own small enterprises. If successful they will not only be able to provide for themselves and their immediate family but has a potential, in future job creation." Apart from the skills development programmes the City of Johannesburg is also involved in a number of poverty alleviation programmes, including: Social funding directed at non-profit NGOs and community organisations that are rendering services to the community. Close on 400 NGOs in the city have already benefited from the city's funding. A social burial programmes that assist indigent families to bury their loved ones with dignity. A food security programme that provides food and fresh produce to HIV and AIDS affected orphans. More than 13 000 children are currently benefiting from this programme. The provision of basic municipal services to indigent families to create a safety net for particular vulnerable groups. "As a city we have a special responsibility towards marginalised communities," says Ms Mayathula-Khoza. "Our social development programmes are directed towards poverty alleviation and support to the most vulnerable people in our society – especially the very young, the elderly and the disabled." Ends Issued by: Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za