​“When Covid-19 hit our shores, public servants played a crucial role in halting the spread and recovering from the pandemic. Regardless of their occupation, our colleagues provided support just like Social Workers do,” said Gauteng Social Development, HOD, Thembeni Mhlongo.
Mhlongo was speaking during the Covid-19 Excellence Awards and Certification ceremony at Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni last Thursday.

She said, “While numerous public servants played their part in Covid-19 recovery and spread mitigation strategies, today we want to extend our gratitude and express appreciation to employees in the Department of Social Development. These employees played a pivotal role in ensuring that our department is able to provide services to the worst affected communities whom; while conducting their duties were working within communities affected by various social ills were exposed to the virus daily.”

“During Covid-19, numerous social ills such as hunger, homelessness, unemployment, drug and substance abuse, women and children abuse, the abuse of the elderly worsened, and we learned that essential services play a key role in ensuring the social protection of communities and their livelihoods.”

“When the hard lockdown was initiated in 2020 by the President of the Republic, one of the strategies employed was in lessening public interaction, meaning numerous people had to work from home and numerous businesses had to close for the duration of that period. However, those identified as providing essential services continued to work,” said Mhlongo.

One such colleague who rendered her service despite the harsh lockdown was Kedibone Dube, a Communication Officer from Communications Directorate, Head Office.

She said as a recipient of the Covid-19 Excellence Award, she feels honoured that the Department recognized, acknowledged, and appreciated her efforts.

“Covid-19 has posed a serious challenge because we had to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and anxiety took the better part of me always when I had to go out there to deliver food parcels to beneficiaries because you would not know the status of the person who you were interacting with as you completed the assessment forms.”

“However, as an employee within the Gauteng Social Development, my mandate was very clear: to ensure that service delivery is provided to the most vulnerable members of the society and I am thankful that I made a difference in people’s live,” added Dube.

Scores of employees from Head Office, Regions and Institutions descended at Birchwood Hotel under strict Covid-19 regulations and were handed with certificates of appreciation.