​Madali Chibambu
On Wednesday, 21 August 2024, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with several other government departments, engaged with the Emandleni community in Actonville, Ekurhuleni, to address pressing social issues. This public engagement took place at the Emandleni Sports Grounds and was attended by over 100 residents, following a comprehensive service blitz and household profiling initiative.
One of the key participants was 25-year-old Kagiso Mampani, a local youth who took the opportunity to submit his CV to the Department of Employment and Labour for inclusion in their online database. "I'm thrilled that the department has promised to include me in the next skills development training, where I'll receive a stipend. It feels great to be proactive and see the government's efforts benefiting me directly," Mampani shared.
Nomthandazo Maphumulo, a Gauteng Department of Social Development official and event coordinator, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, highlighting that various stakeholders were brought together to address the specific challenges faced by the Emandleni community, particularly women and girls.
"We brought in Departments like Labour, Health, SASSA, and Agriculture, along with other stakeholders, to create a comprehensive response to the social ills affecting Emandleni. The main focus of this engagement is to provide practical solutions and support to the community," said Maphumulo. She also mentioned the formation of breakaway commissions that would delve into critical issues such as gender-based violence, unemployment, the role of women in the community, and teenage pregnancy. "We are grateful for the support of the ward councillor, who played a crucial role in mobilizing the community and assisting with the door-to-door campaign," Maphumulo added. 
During the event, SASSA representative Priscilla Mokoena informed the community about improvements in accessing government grants. "Beneficiaries no longer need to travel long distances to SASSA offices to apply for child support grants. Now, they can apply online from the comfort of their homes, with all necessary documents being downloadable and approvable online," Mokoena explained.
The Department of Agriculture also contributed by encouraging community members to start home gardens as a way to combat the rising cost of living. Some residents received starter packs, including seedlings and fertilizers, to help them establish their own homestead gardens.
 
Lucas Ramorake from the Department of Employment and Labour expressed his Department's commitment to the community, encouraging residents to submit their CVs for online registration, which could open up further opportunities for skills development and employment. In addition to these services, other stakeholders offered bursaries and training in various short courses, further empowering the Emandleni community to overcome social challenges and build a better future.