Itireleng - Department of Social Development

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Staf f New
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Correctional Services and Social Departmets join
hands to fight drug abuse in prisons
Communications team welcomes new captain
Social Development to launch toolkits for Community
Development Practitioners
Passion to serve people leads to twenty years of
dedication for Leon Swartz
Building a Caring Society. Together.
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NEWS
Japanese Agency to aid an improved
minority and evaluation system for Home
and Community Based Care Organisation
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegates met with the Director General, Vusi
Madonsela for final evaluation of the project on 29 January 2010
M
any people who are affected and
infected by HIV and AIDS rely
heavily on Home and Community
Based Care (HCBC) for treatment,
care and support. And although Cabinet has
in 1999 mandated the Departments of Social
Development (DSD) and Health (DOH) to work
jointly in implementing HCBCs nationally, there
is still a lack of integrated monitoring systems
that result in organisations having to, amongst
other challenges, report on same data
separately to different Departments and other
funders. The fragmentation of the monitoring
system is contributing to the double counting of
HCBC services and recipients.
to develop and initiate an integrated monitoring
and evaluation system of HCBCs at national,
provincial and district levels. The Agency,
which commenced working since March 2006
will provide technical and financial assistance
to the project.
Thus far the project’ first two outputs that involve
the developing and designing of integrated
system and the strengthening of all levels of
governance and service delivery have been
completed or nearing completion. The third
output that will ensure that that monitoring and
evaluation is operated on a sustainable basis
will be achieved as soon as the data collection
in provinces starts.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) has been requested by the DSD and DOH
Itireleng Fenruary edition 2010
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By Relebohile Sekamotho
MR. Swartz receiveing his long service certificate, flanked by the Deputy Minister Bathabile
Dlamini and the Director General Vusi Madonsela
A
t the end of each year the Department
of Social Development recognises and
awards officials who have served in the
Department and the Public Service for more
than ten years. One such official who has been
recognised in the past year is Mr Leon Swartz
who has been working for the public sector from
1989 in Cape Town.
“I was first employed as a school guidance
counselor and later joined the Department in
1997 when is it called the Department of Welfare
as an Assistant Director.”
Swartz who is now a Director of Population
and Development Research Directorate says
that his involvement with the community based
organisation instilled his passion and interest
in working for government especially Social
Development.
As in any other working environment, Swartz has
faced challenges along the way that includes
working with a limited budget and research
recommendations that are not taken into
account. He however believes that government
should make an effort in attracting qualified and
skilled individuals who will be able to implement
the programme of the Department. “Government
has many restrictions that are making it difficult
to be on the same level with the private sector,”
he added.
Swartz further explained that for South Africa to
meet the standards of other developed countries
it needs to look at the success by developing
countries for guidance on issues that will benefit
the country, promote sustainability in communities
and develop people in skills and intellect.
He acknowledged the Ministries of Rural
Development and Monitoring and Evaluation as
he believes they play a major role because they
can see a broader picture as to where we fail as
a Departments and how we can improve on that.
He reminisced on the transformation from welfare
to social development as says he is glad to still
form part of the Department as hopes to work
twenty more years to guide, empower and assist
the people of South Africa through his work.
Itireleng February edition 2010
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NEWS
Passion to serve people leads to twenty years
of dedication for Leon Swartz
NEWS
Here is what staff members are
hoping to achieve this year
Fister Mashabela Disability and Old
Age Directorate
Said he would like to promote the directorate
to staff members, and make the public aware
of the services they are offering. He personally
wishes to do something with his friend as a
thanksgiving for the 2010 World Cup coming
to South African.
Carmen Van Der Westhuizen: Skills and
Development Directorate
“I don’t have any personal major plans for the
year but will take each day as it comes. As a
directorate we will continue to develop people’s
skills and hold more internal workshops.”
Ms Mhakamuni Shipalana: Information
Management Directorate
While we all know that resolutions do not
work – only commitments do. My commitment
for 2010 is to give something back to this
wonderful DSD community by promoting the
directorate to staff members. “As a Directorate
we plan to promote ourselves people need to
know where to go and whom to call if they
need information about anything that will add
value to their business. She personally wishes
to learn something new, grow in what she does
and get out and network more effectively!
Len Esterhuizen: Security Management
Directorate
Personally wants to be more punctual for work
this year.
As a directorate they plan to train more staff
members than last year and to have to have
to someone who can be office based to attend
to emergencies as other go out on field work.
They also wish to change people’s perspectives
towards security jobs.
Itireleng February edition 2010
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Correctional Services and Social Departmets
join hands to fight drug abuse in prisons
Drug abuse in prison cells of South
Prisoners were also encouraged to be
Africa is a common phenomenon
actively involved in the various programmes
that usually leads to violence, illegal
planned for them for personal growth and
dealings and fatalities amongst inmates.
skill development and those academic
To help combat this, the Departments of
qualifications were told to continue using
Social Development and Correctional
their skills in prisons to develop fellow
Services
ventured
inmates.
into a campaign on
“The continuation of
10 December 2009 in
Jazz musician Mr Don
North West to address drug use in prisons not
Laka volunteered to
the impacts of drug
only robs you of the teach inmates music
use in prisons.
as one of the ways to
freedom to enjoy your keep them away from
Social
Development
life but you are also using drugs while
Deputy
Director
learning new skills
General,
Dr
Maria unable to rehabilitate
that could develop
Mabetoa told inmates
from your past illegal them. South African
not to use drugs as
Police
Services
some have landed in activities.”
(SAPS) ran a drug
prison for using and
education
session
dealing in them. “The
showing the effects
continuation of drug use in prisons not
of drug use to one’s health.
only robs you of the freedom to enjoy your
life but you are also unable to rehabilitate
By Monica Moeletsi
from your past illegal activities.”
Communications team welcomes new captain
By Tebogo P Mokati
With fifteen years of experience under his belt,
Mathebula is no stranger to communications
environment. He has distinguished himself as a
researcher and author in political and historical
issues.
He is consistently researching and
publishing issues relating to politics and traditional
leaders in the country.
Chief Director, Communication
Mr. Mandla Mathebula
T
wo years after the departure of its previous
chief director, Communications Unit has
welcomed Mr Mandla Mathebula to the
position .The man best known for his passion
for communication in public service has joined
the team from 4 January 2010.
As a member of the South African Geographical
Council and the Pan South African Language
Board (PanSALB) he is well exposed to the diverse
cultures of South Africa and the country’s dynamics
in languages. His hard work and dedication has
awarded him seven awards in different areas of
public service.
In his few words Mathebula said “The Department’s
communication will rise to the next level”.
Itireleng February edition 2010
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ADVICE
Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS)
HEALTHCARE FEATURE
Healthy lunchbox ideas for children
With the festive season behind us, it is ‘back to
school’
for our children. Moms will now be tasked with
coming up with
healthy food ideas after all the over- indulging
and snacking on sweets
and junk food over the holidays.
Are you a mom who has to pack lunchboxes and
make snacks for your children every day of the
week? And are you at your wits end trying to strike
a balance between healthy food options and your
child’s picky eating habits?
Ensuring your children follow a healthy, balanced
diet is sometimes easier said than done. Children
may feel they can function on a diet of chips,
biscuits, sweets, fizzy cold drinks and white bread.
It also seems ‘cool’ when other children have
biscuits and sweets for their lunch. Unfortunately,
more harm than good is being done and these
children are malnourished and unhealthy as a
result. Introducing healthy food items into your
child’s lunchbox, will go a long way in ensuring they
are happy and healthy in the long run.
As part of the Government Employees Medical
Scheme’s (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate
our members and future members on a range of
healthcare topics, we would like to provide mothers
with a few healthy lunchbox ideas!
Encourage your children to try healthy alternatives
and each time they do, reward them with a star or
sticker and once they’ve collected enough reward
them with a non-food treat. Keep a chart in a
visible place, where the children can proudly show
their friends their progress.
It’s vitally important that children get into the good
habit of drinking water. During the hot summer
months, freeze a bottle of water and offer it as
an alternative to juices and flavoured drinks and
save the milkshakes and fizzy drinks as a Friday or
weekend treat.
Try to add at least two pieces of fresh fruit daily to
their diet. You can also purchase fresh fruit and cut
them into pieces and make a fruit salad, which may
be served with low fat yoghurt as an alternative.
cakes and wholemeal biscuits.
Children need healthy foods and drinks to snack on
or to take to school. Below are some ideas to make
your life easier and to ensure that your children
have good, wholesome food to take to school and
to have in-between meals.
The basics
There are certain basic principles that you need
to keep in mind:
•
Planning: you need to plan ahead so that you
buy the correct foods for making snacks and
lunchboxes.
• Resist the ‘easy’ option of buying cold drinks,
crisps and chocolate bars - in the long run this
is going to ruin your children’s health.
• Resist your children’s demands and
manipulations for high-fat snacks and fizzy cold
drinks.
• Remember that children are different to adults
- they have a much smaller stomach capacity,
so they need regular snacks and some children
have a much higher energy requirement
because they’re more active than adults.
• Remember that children are similar to adults
- they also like interesting and tasty food that
looks good enough to eat, but they may not
appreciate very sophisticated foods.
• Lunchboxes may have to replace three to four
meals a day - that breakfast that wasn’t eaten,
the mid-morning snack, lunch and the midafternoon snack - a whole menu in one box!
• Packaging is important - buy a sturdy plastic
container that’s big enough to accommodate
the food you want your child to take to school
without getting squashed, and consider
buying a small non-breakable vacuum flask or
vacutainer for keeping cold foods and drinks
cold, and hot foods and drinks hot.
• Eating a variety of foods gives children and
adults the best chance of obtaining a balanced
diet.
• Select foods from all the food groups every
day:
Milk and dairy products;
Fruit and vegetables;
Breads and starches;
Protein foods like meat, fish, eggs and legumes;
Fats and oils, including nuts.
Whole-wheat bread contains high sugar levels,
so opt for the occasional health or rye bread, rice
Itireleng February edition 2010
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Cereals, breads and starches
• Low-GI, wholewheat, brown or rye bread or
buns, various healthy breads, crisp bread (rye or
wheat), wholewheat biscuits.
• Pita bread, or hot dog/hamburger rolls, or
pancakes/flapjacks, or mini pizzas, or bagels
(buy the wholewheat varieties if possible).
• Wholewheat muffins or muffins made with fresh
fruit like banana, dried fruit like raisins/sultanas/
dates, or nuts; cheese muffins.
• Oat cakes or oat crunches, health or energy bars
(only for children who are very active and who
don’t have a weight problem as these foods are
quite high in fat).
• Muesli or bran rusks.
• Rice cakes (buy various flavours).
• Baked potato with a filling (keep warm in
vacutainer).
• Potato salads (use light salad dressing or dilute
mayonnaise with fat-free yoghurt).
• Cooked corn on the cob or mielie bread.
Protein foods
• Lean cold cuts (ham, beef, chicken, tongue).
• Grilled chicken pieces (wings or drumsticks).
• Cooked, chopped or minced meat or chicken/
turkey.
• Homemade hamburger patties (use lean mince).
• Boiled eggs.
• Cooked, flaked fish.
• Canned fish such as tuna, pilchards or sardines.
• Smoked fish like snoek or mackerel.
• Meat or fish spreads and paste.
Milk and dairy foods
• Yoghurt (plain mixed with honey and nuts or fresh
fruit, or ready-made, flavoured, low-fat varieties).
• Cottage cheese (flavour plain cottage cheese
with tomato sauce or piccalilli, mashed banana or
avocado, nuts or dried fruit, or buy ready-made
flavoured cottage cheese - check the fat content
and buy the fat-free versions).
• Cheeses (all types, use grated or cut into cubes).
• Cheese spread.
Fruit and vegetables
• Fresh fruit - apples, pears, naartjies, oranges,
plums, peaches, grapes, litchis, mango, pineapple
or melon pieces, figs.
• Dried fruit and fruit rolls.
• Carrot or celery sticks, baby tomatoes, cucumber
wedges, lettuce.
• Pumpkin fritters.
Fats and oils
• Mono- or polyunsaturated margarine or light
margarine as a spread on breads, etc.
• Nuts, peanut butter.
• Nutella spread.
• Avocado - mash and use instead of margarine.
• Low-fat or lite salad dressing, or mayonnaise
diluted with low-fat yoghurt.
Itireleng February edition 2010
Drinks and liquid foods
• Milk, plain or flavoured.
• Homemade milk shakes (puree fruit with low-fat
milk, add honey and/or vanilla flavouring).
• Yogi-sip.
• Milk/fruit-juice blends.
• Fruit juice, still or sparkling.
• Soda water - flavoured, still or sparkling.
• Energy drinks for children who participate in sport
or who are very active.
• Hot chocolate or cocoa made with skim milk
(keep warm in vacutainer during winter).
• Soups (keep hot in vacutainer during winter).
• Cold water and ice for sports meetings.
What can be used as bread filling?
• Peanut butter with raw honey.
• Cheese & tomato.
• Cheese & lettuce.
• Bovril or marmite with cheese.
• Meatballs with tomato sauce.
• Chicken & gherkins.
• Boiled eggs with tomato sauce.
• Hummus.
• Cottage cheese with lettuce.
• Cold meat with lettuce (please remember that
cold meat contains preservatives).
You could also try finger foods such as wholewheat
pretzels, baby tomatoes and cubed cheese, diced
carrot and cucumber sticks with cottage cheese dip
or hummus. Plain yoghurt with a small amount of
raisins also makes for a healthy alternative.
Remember, your
responsibility.
children’s
health
is
your
If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you
to obtain more information about your health related
questions, you can phone the GEMS call centre on
0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS
will assist you in every way possible to ensure your
health and well-being.
Sources used:
December 2008
www.wlw.co.za
and
Dietdoc,
Ends
Researched and written on behalf of the
Government
Employees
Medical
Scheme
(GEMS) by Martina Nicholson Associates (MNA).
For further information kindly contact Martina
Nicholson (011) 469-3016 or martina@mnapr.
co.za
7
Responding to a study carried out in 2006 that
reviewed the performance of the Department’s
service and developments interventions.
A toolkit for Community Development
Practitioners (CDP) is to be launched this year to
provide guidance for practitioners to effectively
facilitate community development processes
using sustainable livelihoods approach.
Findings made in the study revealed the need
for change and focus towards broader and
long term community development process,
anchored on sustainable livelihoods that seeks
to improve livelihoods and strengthen the asset
base in communities as well as the creation of
better facilitation, coordination, planning and
implementation of development interventions.
appropriate
activities to enhance
and maintain their livelihoods; identify
appropriate
interventions
to
improve
their
livelihoods;
undertake
monitory
and evaluation; reflect critically on their
development situation and assist integration
and coordination of the department and
other service providers at community levels.
The
toolkits will be
launched in North
West Province on 28
February 2010 under the
theme ‘Strengthening the
capacity of CDPs for better
facilitation of community
development.
The toolkits will assist practitioners to facilitate
discussions at community level on livelihoods
issues, help communities plan and
implement
Editor
Lucky Dipela
Photography
Mmapula Makgamatha
Journalists and Contributors
Mmapula Makgamatha, Kgati Sathekge,
Phindulo Raphulu, Emelda Mashakgomo,
Relebohile Sekamotho
Publisher and Distributors
Directorate: Internal Communications
Department of Social Development
Art Director / Concept Incubator
Lucky Dipela
Contacts us at:
luckyd@socdev.gov.za; Ext:7823
itireleng@socdev.gov.za
Itireleng February edition 2010
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