EASTERN CAPE – Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta has welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that R3.8 billion will be set aside to recruit more than 3,500 social workers, strengthening efforts to prevent gender-based violence and femicide.

According to a News24 report, the majority of this allocation will be used to hire just over 3,500 social workers.

Fanta said the allocation was an important step towards expanding support for women, children and families, and improving access to social services in communities.

“Social workers are often the first point of support for people experiencing abuse and other forms of hardship,” she said. “This investment can help strengthen prevention, early intervention and care for survivors, particularly in communities where services are difficult to access.”

Fanta added that the announcement must be matched by effective recruitment and deployment, including in rural and underserved areas of the Eastern Cape. She also stressed the importance of providing social workers with the resources and support they need to do their work safely and effectively.

“Recruiting more social workers is vital, but it must form part of a coordinated response involving government, communities and organisations working to prevent violence and support survivors.

“This department is committed to working with national government and other partners to strengthen services and address gender-based violence,” she concluded.

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