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

News and Speeches for Department of Social Development

Minister Fernandez launches skills development centre at Vrygrond Youth Cafe

22 March 2022

Against the backdrop of Human Rights Day commemorated on Monday, 21 March 2022, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, launched a newly established skills development centre in partnership with the Sozo Foundation at the... Read More

UPDATE: Western Cape Government moves forward with ECD Migration

22 March 2022

With the shift of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) function from the Department of Social Development (DSD) to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) at national and provincial levels taking place on 1 April 2022, we are pleased with the steps... Read More

Service provider appointed to assist with ECD Stimulus Relief Fund payments

15 March 2022

 The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) welcomes the appointment of a service provider to assist with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Stimulus Relief Fund payments to those eligib Read More

Minister Fernandez urges private frail care facilities to register with DSD

3 March 2022

All private residential facilities that have frail care units for older persons are required to be registered with the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD). Read More

Minister Fernandez condemns baby dumping, urges public to assist

1 March 2022

Against the backdrop of recent reports of babies being dumped, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, condemns such acts in the strongest terms, and wishes to alert the public that ‘dumping’ a baby is a criminal offence. Read More

Victims of crime: Understanding the support you can expect

23 February 2022

The recent release of the crime statistics contextualizes the overwhelmingly negative impact violence has on the lives of thousands of women, girls, men and boys as it continues to be a barrier to society's overall well-being and development. Read More

National DSD failure causes further delays of ECD Stimulus Relief Fund Payments

9 February 2022

It is with deep regret that I must inform the public that there will be further delays regarding the finalisation of payments of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Stimulus Relief Fund to those eligible ECD centres that are still waiting to... Read More

Min Fernandez appeals to communities to work together to safeguard our children

7 February 2022

The Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, is calling upon society to join hands in the fight to protect our province’s children who continue to fall prey to various forms of violence and abuse. Read More

ECD registration process to remain unchanged with migration to DBE

31 January 2022

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) invites all Early Childhood Development (ECD) partial care facilities and programmes to register with the Department. Read More

Western Cape Government launches new social services centre in Murraysburg

25 January 2022

Today, Tuesday 25 January 2022, the Western Cape Ministers' for Social Development and Transport and Public Works, Ms Sharna Fernandez and Mr Daylin Mitchell, launched a newly established Social Development service centre in Murraysburg. Read More

Unveiling of the new social services delivery point in Central Karoo District

24 January 2022

On Tuesday, 25 January 2022, the Western Cape Ministers' for Social Development and Transport and Public Works, Ms Sharna Fernandez and Mr Daylin Mitchell, will officially open a new social services office for Murraysburg and the surrounding areas. Read More

Social Development services are available during Festive Season

14 December 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) wishes to alert the public that all services will remain largely uninterrupted during the upcoming Festive Season. Read More

Minister Fernandez engages with Managers of six newly established shelters

6 December 2021

Against the backdrop of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, on Monday, 6 December 2021, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, engaged the provincial  Department of Social... Read More

International Day of Persons with Disabilities commemoration

3 December 2021

Friday, 3 December 2021, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and is also celebrated as National Disability Rights Awareness Day. Read More

UPDATE: National GBV Command Call Centre Report

30 November 2021

Gender-based violence (GBV) has become the ‘Shadow-Pandemic’ due to its serious threat to the safety and well-being of especially women and children in the Western Cape.  As we continue to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have also... Read More

Western Cape Government shares progress made on its rollout of the GBV plans

25 November 2021

On Thursday, 25 November 2021, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, Ministers of Social Development and Community Safety, Ms Sharna Fernandez and Adv Albert Fritz, and the Director-General of the Western Cape Government, Dr Harry Malia, held... Read More

The Department of Social Development obtains 9th consecutive clean audit

22 November 2021

“The Department has remained steadfast to fulfil its core mandates by implementing programmes which prioritise children and families, support to victims of GBV, ECD, restorative services and services to vulnerable citizens, such as the elderly and... Read More

DSD appeals to the public to use registered substance abuse treatment facilities

17 November 2021

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has received distressing reports of a murder at an illegal substance abuse rehabilitation centre operating out of a residence in Ruyterwacht, Cape Town. There have also been allegations of... Read More

Minister Fernandez hands over two vehicles to assist children with disabilities

16 November 2021

Today, Tuesday 16 November 2021, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, donated two newly adapted Nissan NV350 2.5L Minibus vehicles to assist children with disabilities to the Nomaxabiso Centre for Children with Special... Read More

Minister Fernandez to handover specialised vehicles to the disability sector

15 November 2021

Against the backdrop of Disability Rights Awareness Month, the Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, will be handing over two new specialised vehicles to the disability sector at the Western Cape Forum for intellectually disabled... Read More

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