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Deputy President to lead a government delegation to the Free State province for the launch of the War-on-Poverty Campaign in Xhariep District
12 August 2008
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will lead a high level government delegation to the Free State province on Thursday, 14 August 2008 in a government campaign to fight poverty nationally. The launch of the war on poverty campaign will take place in Jacobsdal.
The campaign was adopted by Cabinet as part of government's Apex priorities as announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address, and recognises that work is already underway in eradicating poverty, but seeks to raise the profile of these activities and reach out to more people in the shortest possible time.
Recognising that the fight against poverty cannot be the responsibility of the national government alone, and that the success of tackling poverty and social exclusion requires that every sector play its part. War Rooms that are inclusive of government at all levels, business, voluntary and community organisations amongst others, have been set up to fight poverty. Local government departments will intervene in areas such as provision of free basic services, public works and other indigent measures.
The war on poverty campaign's unique approach draws on the experience of other focused and targeted initiatives such as the Urban and Rural Development Strategy, the Project Consolidate and Izimbizo to bring about maximum impact in identified communities. All government departments will be working together in an integrated manner.
The central element of this campaign is visits to poor households to assess which government services individuals within households are eligible for, but are not receiving. What specific government interventions are relevant to the needs of the particular household and communicated to relevant implementing agents for follow up, and which will be monitored and evaluated.
The launch event in the Free State will not be the final step. The event will test out the methodology of targeted household visits and community profiling to refine the approach for rapid rollout in all targeted areas.
RSVP:
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707
E-mail: terrence@po.gov.za
Bongani Mlangeni
Cell: 073 525 3107
E-mail: Bongani@gcis.gov.za
For more information, contact the Spokesperson to the Deputy President:
Denzil Taylor
Cell: 082 561 3772
Issued by: The Presidency
12 August 2008