Rofhiwa Marubini
The Gauteng Provincial Government has made remarkable progress in the distribution of food parcels to the vulnerable members of society during the nationwide lockdown. Gauteng's distribution accounts for 37.4 % of the total food distribution nationally to the vulnerable, the poor and the child headed families.
This was announced by Acting MEC for Social Development in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi during the tabling of the budget vote speech at the Legislature on Thursday,18 June 2020.   
MEC Lesufi said they have achieved this through the cooperation between the public and private sectors. 
"We have received support from the private sector, other government departments such as the Department of environmental, forestry and fisheries, SASA, solidarity funds and local municipalities. 
 "We managed to respond to all the calls for food parcels. This was a massive task; our staff members and social partners executed this mandate.  
"We want to thank the Premier and the provincial government for the support, as during the distribution of the food parcels,we went back to the provincial government to request for additional support and they provided the department with an additional 44800  food parcels that catered for up to 224000 households,"  said Lesufi.
MEC Lesufi added that the distribution of food parcels was treated with sensitivity that it deserves and no discrimination was endured as a result.
"We are proud that in this province the distribution of food parcels was not politicized, and no single individual was denied food parcels on the basis that they were from a different political party, "added Lesufi. 
The provincial government have also partnered with the South African State Security Agency (SASSA ) to ensure that those who need social grants get access to the grants.