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The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, has urged the public servants across the country to mark Public Service Week and Imbizo Focus Week, especially those working in the rural areas, by intensifying the campaign to register all eligible children under nine years for the Child Support Grant (CSG) and birth certificates as well as register all people who qualify for identity documents.

"As the nation marks the Public Service Week and Imbizo Focus Week, we call on all public servants and communities at large to work closely together to register all children eligible for social grants especially those under nine years for the CSG. This is even more important as we prepare to celebrate the both the World Food Day (16 October, and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October). During Social Development Month and beyond, let us all redouble our efforts as business, labour, faith based organisations, NGO's and community-based organisations, to work together to make sure that no child goes to bed without at least one meal day," the Minister said.

The Minister said that access to social services as well as food security for children was critical in enabling them to cope with their studies and nurturing them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Meanwhile plans are underway to mark International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) throughout the country with the highlight being the workshop organised jointly by the DSD and the Corporate Social Investment Forum at the Sandton Convention Centre.

For more information contact: Mbulelo Musi, Tel: 27-12-312-7654, Cell: 082-904-3395, Fax: 2-12-312-7943
E-mail: Mbulelo.Musi@socdev.gov.za

Issued by Ministry for Social Development, 14 October 2003