The Free State Department of Social Development has announced the permanent appointment of 38 social workers, set to assume their duty on 1 December. The group adds to the 83 appointed in June.
Thembile Nqabeni, spokesperson for the department, confirmed this was part of the appointment of a 121 strong cohort. These social workers form the cohort that was appointed on contract to serve the department in all five districts.
They had been serving the department on contract basis since their appointment in 2020, as part of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This significant expansion further enhances our capacity, to enable us to reach more people, provide more comprehensive social services, and make a greater impact in the communities we serve,” said Nqabeni.
The Free State reportedly had, for eight years, at least 101 vacant positions. A cut in budget by more than R77 million was cited as one of the main reasons the department was unable to appoint social workers.
