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Statement on the meeting between Social Development Minister Zola
Skweyiya and Religious leaders
25 February 20009
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, today, 25 February 2009, met with representatives of the National Religious Leaders Forum (NRLF), in Pretoria. The NRLF delegation was led by
Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane.
The meeting noted the following:
* The NRLFs support for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Fund by government aimed at assisting families and individuals facing undue hardship. There was agreement in that the means must be devised to ensure sustainability and development.
* Minister Skweyiya reported that provinces had spent 40 percent of the R500 million allocated for the SRD with Gauteng and Eastern Cape provinces having spent 60 percent of funds allocated to them.
* Accelerating the process of moving forward matters that were raised during the Dialogue between civil society and government following the Gauteng Poverty Hearings held in 2008.
* Hastening the process of establishing links with provinces to ensure access to Early Childhood Development funds by the religious sector.
The meeting also emphasised the importance of continued partnerships between government and civil society in improving the quality of lives of all South Africans.
For enquiries contact:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 330 1148
Issued by: Department of Social Development
25 February 2009
Source: SAPA