Western Cape Minister Jaco Londt moves to Education
I am honoured to announce that I am stepping into the role of Western Cape Minister of Education.
Thank you to Premier Alan Winde for entrusting me with this great task, it is a privilege and one I do not take lightly.
A solid foundation was laid by Minister David Maynier who led the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) with integrity and passion for four years.
I am looking forward to working with the officials and staff from WCED to continue the Department’s vision of quality education for every learner in the Western Cape, along with the broader education ecosystem that assists in capacitating learners. Our children hold the key to a brighter future, and I am committed to ensuring every opportunity is created and supported to make that future a reality.
I leave the Western Cape Department of Social Development proud and humbled. It has been one of the greatest pleasures and honours to serve alongside dedicated, hard-working and innovative staff members within DSD.
We have taken great strides together over the last two years, such as:
- Establishing the Cape Care Fund, a Special Purpose Vehicle that has been raising funds to further support the work of DSD through vetted, registered, well-functioning organisations with a proven track record of quality service delivery in the social sector.
- Expanding support for victims of Gender-Based Violence, like increasing the number of GBV Ambassador programmes from two to 21, with nearly 1000 volunteers spread across the province.
- Rolling out the Social Work Integrated Management System (SWIMS) application – an innovative tool designed to lessen the administrative burden of social workers – to sister departments and partner organisations.
- Strengthening child protections services, like the opening of Fountain of Hope, a first of its kind intermediate facility in South Africa, providing accommodation and support for young people transitioning from secure care to integration into community-based Child and Youth Care Centres.
- We also boosted support for at-risk youth through the launch of the Independent Living pilot programme, designed to help young adults leaving alternative care foster resilience and independence.
These are just a few of the many milestones we’ve been able to achieve together, and it is thanks to the incomparable commitment and skill of the DSD management – led by Dr Robert Macdonald – and staff. It is also thanks to the incredible organisations that work with the Department to support vulnerable residents. These partnerships enable us to provide a stronger safety net for the people of the Western Cape.
Thank you for your unwavering support these last two years. I look forward to seeing how we can collaborate going forward for the benefit of the residents we serve.
I wish the incoming Minister Wendy Kaizer-Philander well as she steps into her new role. I trust that with her years of experience serving communities and working closely with DSD that it will be a seamless transition as she takes the Department to new heights.
Media enquiries
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Jaco Londt