This, as the provincial MEC for Social Development, Mamiki Qabathe, tables her 2019/20 budget. The department responsible for providing social assistance and welfare services to the public has for years made headlines over the Sassa debacle, a lack of funding to these homes, as well as projects aimed at helping the disabled, abused women and children and other key projects. 

Qabathe has during the presentation of her budget vowed to pay more attention to improving the state of orphanages and old age homes across the province, amongst other priorities. She further pledged that with the R1,375 billion allocated to her department for 2019/20, communities will see a difference.

Over R1 million of her budget will be allocated to assist old age homes while over R2 million will go towards ensuring that the needs of children with disabilities are met.

She alluded that although measures have been taken to ensure equality and fight against poverty, more still needs to be done.

Qabathe said amongst her top priorities is the eradication of poverty, protection of woman, children and the disabled.

She confirmed that the department is aware of the number of people unemployed and still living in dire poverty in the province.

Her priority plans include filling vacant posts within the department, appointing more social workers, social managers in various districts, as well as opening centres that will assist victims of gender-based violence.

Qabathe alluded that R9.3 million on overtime payment was spent in the last fiscal year and that this is an example of something that the department will have to do away with in efforts to cut cost.

Maintenance of buildings across the province will also receive her attention.

Qabathe has vowed to improve the department's workforce and employ more persons with disabilities. She highlighted that more needs to be done to eradicate the high unemployment rates in the province.

She further announced that the provincial department has partnered with the University of the Free State in the training of some of its social workers.

Qabathe further said the state of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the province is another area that needs to be improved. Although the responsibility over ECD centres will now be shifted to the provincial department of education, Qabathe has announced that they will be embarking on a drive to check the number of ECD centres operating illegally and sent a stern warning to operators to register with the department to ensure that the rights of children are protected at these centres.

She further assured the house that approximately R5,446 million will go towards initiatives aimed at women empowerment across the province.

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