POVERTY RELIEF PROJECTS IN THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
Background:
This report gives an account of the progress on all funded poverty relief projects achieved by the department in partnership with the Independent Development Trust (IDP) in the Northern Cape (NC). The National Department of Social Development entered into a partnership agreement with the IDP to provide implementation support to the Poverty Relief program since November 2003.
Projects were funded per objective as required by the National Department of Social Development and the five set of objectives in the NC were as follows:
- The establishment of 5 food security projects
- The objective is to ensure household food security through the establishment of food production clusters in communities with a particular focus on households affected by HIV and AIDS in predominantly rural areas. The projects are:
- Eksteenskuil Women’s Development: they received R420 000 and the beneficiaries are: 89 woman, 5 disabled, 15 children, 10 youth, 75 men, 149 households and 66 people are trained. The project is well established and consists of a network of small home gardens for food production, and three large gardens for commercial production.
- Bankara/Bodulong Food security: they received R250 000 and the beneficiaries are, 14 women, 1 youth and 3 men. The project has not fully come off the ground due to serious shortage of water for irrigating crops.
- Anchor food security: which received R420 000 and there are no beneficiaries. The project funds are exhausted and the project was terminated in 2003.
- Itereleng Delicious Bakery: which received R205 000 and the beneficiaries are 8 women. The project operates as a bread baking and biscuit making initiative supplying the local community. Due to a strong market the project started a tuck-shop to secure the project to sustain itself.
- Bulletrap Vegetable Garden: which received R420 000 and the beneficiaries are, 11 households, 10 disabled and 14 people are trained. This is a well financially managed food garden producing fresh vegetables relatively cheap to the entire community daily.
- Three HIV/AIDS Community Based
- To establish and/maintain social support structures in predominantly rural communities where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS are high. The projects are:
- Masakhane Co-opreatives: received R250 000 and the beneficiaries are, 6 women, 6 youth, 1 disabled and 1 man. This is an HIV/AIDS project but its main activity is sewing of traditional clothing for sustainability.
- Aganang Support Group in Bankara/Bodulong: received R250 000 and the beneficiaries are, 26 caregivers, 240 youth, 700 women, 76 disabled, 410 men and 695 children. The project operates a s a strong community base structure rendering HCBC and other support services to HIV/AIDS infected and affected people.
- Christiana Support group: received R250 000 and the beneficiaries are, 7 disabled, 166 women, 339 children, 7 youth, 100 men and 53 volunteers. The project has made a transition from an organizational support group for HIV/AIDS infected and affected people to an organization giving support on a wide scale. The project was identified as a BEST PRACTICE MODEL.
3. One Urban Renewal Youth Development Project
- To establish targeted urban regeneration initiatives through the broadening of skills and employment opportunities and reduce levels youth criminality, whilst encouraging recreational activities. The project is:
- Galeshewe Youth Initiative Centre: which received R1,5 million and the beneficiaries are 348 males and 330 females. The implementation of the project is administered and run by NICRO. The project is currently in the process to establish a Youth structure in Galeshewe for more sustainable economic initiatives.
- The establishment of three Women Cooperatives
- To support the establishment of women’s production companies/co- opratives that the improves the economic viability of rural households through the support of income generating opportunities for rural women.
- Prieska Salt Factory: received R500 000 and currently there are o beneficiaries. The project changed its original focus to the production of bricks as a need identified by the community. The project ceased operations during October 2004 due to a lack of markets. The local municipal housing was the only market. The project lost its market after completion of the projects. The project I now in the process to e revived through new housing projects for over R1million. For sustainability the project urgently require expanded markets outside the town.
- Carolusberg Garden of Hope: received R500 000 and the number of beneficiaries are, 8 women, 1 man and 700 households. A well established food garden to provide work opportunities and production of fresh vegetables. The project is well supported by the local community but urgently need expansion of their market.
- Ncendidlala Car wash in Nonzwakazi, De Aar: received R500 000 and the beneficiaries are 5 women, 4 youth and 2 men. An established car wash project has secured land with infra-structure. Project is in process to secure a contract with Imperial Car Rental.
5. Three dual Purpose Projects on Older Person’s and Children
- To support dual-purpose community based childcare and materials production initiatives that capitalize on the social and economic capability of the aged. The projects are:
- Amandelboom Siver Years Development Centre: received R500 000 and beneficiaries are none. The project is on hold due to alleged financial irregularities. A financial audit was conducted awaiting action to be taken. The project committee resists cooperation for the project to continue. The legal unit is currently addressing the matter in order for the community to gain access to the remaining funds for implementation.
- Oasis Skills Development Centre: received R500 000 and the number of beneficiaries are, 11 older persons, 16 disabled, 16 women, 2 men, 53 children and 13 members are trained in Child care. The project started as a vocational centre for learners with special needs. Through women’s initiative the project established itself as a skills development centre for children with disabilities. The centre is in the process to be registered as an Early Childhood Development site with the Department of Education. The project is well supported by government departments of Social Services, Education, Health and Local Government.