NEWS RELEASE 17 October 2001
MINISTER PROMISES HOPE AND RELIEF FOR PROVINCE’S POOR
Provincial Minister for Social Services and Poverty Relief, Minister David Malatsi, has renewed a pledge by the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape (PAWC) to reduce the poverty levels across the region.
The pledge was a focal point in an interfaith service held in St George’s Cathedral to mark the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty The service was attended by provincial ministers, civic officials, key figures in the business sector, representatives of various NGO and service organisations, community leaders and members of public.
In his address, Minister Malatsi said that the alleviation and eradication of poverty is essentially not only a socio-economic issue, but clearly a key human rights issue.
Minister Malatsi said that he believed the core concern was in ensuring the sustainability of whatever course the province and its stakeholder partners chose to take in this regard.
“The Provincial Administration of the Western Cape believes that the answer lies in the finding of legislative and non-legislative ways of removing barriers, in the strategic economic empowerment of the impoverished individual and the community, the elimination of all forms of discrimination against the poor, and in their long term protection and upliftment in our society,” said Minister Malatsi.
“At the end of the day, we aim to reduce poverty levels, restore human dignity and achieve full equality for the poor in the province,” said Minister Malatsi. “I believe that we are well on the road towards achieving these objectives.”
The interfaith service was the culmination of a circuit of community activities marking International Day for Poverty Eradication in the preceding week to communities in Ocean View, Vredendal, Saldanha, Khayelitsha and Bredasdorp.
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