New Family Strengths Expo 2010

The Western Cape Department of Social Development, in collaboration with other government departments and civil society organisations, will host 4 Family Strength Expo's across the Western Cape, as part of its celebration of the International Day for Families on 15 May 2010.

These Family Strength Expo's will be held in Cape Town, Worcester, Oudtshoorn and Vredendal, and will allow all people in the Western Cape, an opportunity to attend.

The Theme for the Family Expo's is: "PROMOTING, PROTECTING AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES - FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER AND BUILDING ON STRENGTHS"

The expo is a developmental and an all-embracing programme aimed at reinforcing awareness, promoting positive parenting, moral regeneration, positive behaviour and a healthy and balanced family life.

"As a department, in defining our core business, we have identified and continue to affirm the family as the most basic unit of society that has to be strengthened, so that it can continue to play its rightful role in our societies - psychologically, economically, spiritually, physically and as a champion of social care and protecting its members", said Koleka Lubelwana, Head of Department for Social Development.

Lubelwana added, "Our strategic goal is to foster resilient, caring families and communities and protect the vulnerable and therefore this collaborative venture between Government and its social partners, aims to strengthen family and community life by creating mass awareness of services and opportunities available to families".

The Family Expo will focus, among other objectives, on the following:

To build social cohesion through Family Strengthening

To create mass awareness of services and opportunities available to Families

To build cooperative partnerships between all spheres of Government and Civil Society partners

These expos will also seek to deepen dialogues and understanding through one-on-one and group consultations, seminars on a variety of issues and topics e.g. positive parenting, Children's Act, Family Policy, Social Grants, Substance Abuse, Older Persons programmes, Disability programmes, Health, and many other topics.

At the Family Expo non-governmental organisations and various departments will showcase services that they render to families. Friday, 14 May, will include an official opening whilst on Saturday, 15 May, families are invited to interact with organisations that will be exhibiting their services, and attend seminars, which will focus on specific issues pertaining to families. The entertainment will also ensure that families can enjoy their time at the event. A special kiddies corner will keep children entertained and families are invited to participate in interactive family games. The Expo's will be officially closed on Sunday, 16 May, with an interfaith service.

The Department of Social Development looks forward to spending time with the families in our communities, gaining a better insight into the issues at hand, and crafting common interventions to ensure that families prevail wherever they find themselves," Lubelwana said.

The department of Social Development has committed itself to ensuring that the family expo becomes an annual event that will spread across the Western Cape.

The dates and venues for the Family Expo:
Cape Town: Western Cape Sport School in Kuilsriver (14 - 16 May 2010)
Worcester: Kleinplasie (14 - 16 May 2010)
Oudtshoorn: Toekomsrus Community Hall (21 - 23 May 2010)
Vredendal: Vredendal Sports Ground (21 - 23 May 2010)