News and Speeches for Department of Social Development | Western Cape Government

News and Speeches for Department of Social Development

Minister Fernandez to launch Youth Café on Heritage Day

23 September 2021

In commemoration of Heritage Day on Friday 24 September 2021, Minister Sharna Fernandez will be launching the Riversdale Thusong Centre Youth Café. Read More

Minister Fernandez commemorates International Day of Sign Languages

23 September 2021

Today, 23 September 2021, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, is commemorating International Day of Sign Languages to promote the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other individuals... Read More

Minister calls on National DSD to fast track ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund

21 September 2021

I am deeply concerned about the verification process that the National Department of Social Development has implemented for all Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD) that applied for the ECD Presidential Employment Stimulus Relief Fund. The... Read More

Essential services available for people with disabilities

13 September 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) notes that essential services are available for people with disabilities, amidst President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Sunday evening, 12 September 2021, that South Africa would move to... Read More

Minister Fernandez observes World Suicide Prevention Day

10 September 2021

Today, Friday, 10 September 2021, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, is observing World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) to create awareness that every person in society can play a role in suicide prevention. Read More

DSD commemorates International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Awareness Day

9 September 2021

Today, Thursday 9 September 2021, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, commemorated International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day by joining hands with the Foundation of Alcohol Related Research (... Read More

Evacuation of Vredelus Child and Youth Care Centre

7 September 2021

The Department of Social Development is assessing its short and long-term plans for the Vredelus Child and Youth Care Centre in Elsies River for girls who are in conflict with the law, after a group of armed men forced their way into the facility. Read More

Help protect our children: Sign up to be a Safety Parent

6 September 2021

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's nutrition, health, learning, and safety are far-reaching.  Read More

Minister Fernandez calls on society to prioritise women, 365 days of the year

31 August 2021

“As Women's Month draws to a close, I call upon all citizens to act swiftly in addressing the many concerns and injustices women face in this Province and South Africa, 365 days of the year! Read More

Final Call for ECD Stimulus Employment Relief Fund Verification

30 August 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) wishes to remind all Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres that applied for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund, to verify their details that have been captured on Government’s database... Read More

Minister Fernandez launches two GBV shelters in Garden Route

29 August 2021

On Friday, 27 August 2021, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, launched two newly established safe houses: Protea House for Women and Peonies House for Women. Read More

UPDATE: ECD Stimulus Employment Relief Fund Verification deadline looms

23 August 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is urging all Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes and services that applied for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund, to verify their details that have been captured on Government’s... Read More

The Department of Social Development is on high alert amidst heavy rains

18 August 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is on high alert and has activated it’s winter readiness programmes, to alleviate the effect of disaster situations on vulnerable communities, amidst the heavy rains and colder weather... Read More

NPO Help Desk Walk-In Centre re-opens

16 August 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) would like to remind the public that the Department’s Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) Help Desk Walk-in-Centre has re-opened under the current Alert Level 3 Disaster Management Act regulations,... Read More

Women’s month: Substance abuse treatment and care available for women

12 August 2021

The circumstances and experiences of women are very different from their male counterparts. This fact is reflected in females experiences of substance use disorders (SUDs). Read More

Victim Empowerment Programme services reach 5701 GBV victims in the Western Cape

10 August 2021

Gender-based violence (GBV) , commonly referred to as the ‘Shadow-Pandemic’ is a serious threat to the safety and well-being of women and children. Read More

Psycho-social support for families and individuals amidst COVID-19 pandemic

4 August 2021

Mental and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased exponentially, with many individuals dealing with the loss of a loved one, a colleague, a family or community member without the appropriate grief and bereavement support.  Read More

Public encouraged to promote gender equality and build safer communities

2 August 2021

In commemoration of Women’s Month, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, is paying tribute to all those women and men who continue to play a role in promoting gender equality and helping build safer communities for women. Read More

DSD observes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

30 July 2021

Today, Friday 30 July 2021, marks the observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Read More

Minister Fernandez visits social services sector COVID-19 vaccination site

29 July 2021

Today, Thursday 29 July 2021, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, conducted an oversight visit at West EMS Pinelands COVID-19 vaccination site, which is one of seventeen sites around the province where members of the... Read More

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