The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development is the department of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government mandated to ensure protection against vulnerability by creating and enabling an environment for the provision of comprehensive, integrated and sustainable social development services within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development is faced with the inescapable reality that the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised groups of the Eastern Cape continue to exert pressure and demand for the provision of comprehensive and quality development of social welfare services.
Its mandate is aligned with the Social Protection Chapter of the NDP Vision 2030, which is aimed at ensuring protection against vulnerability by creating and enabling an environment for the provision of comprehensive, integrated and sustainable social development services.
Social protection is recognised as a basic right in terms of Section 27(1)(c) of the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996, which provides for the right of access to appropriate social assistance to those unable to support themselves and their dependants. Section 28 (1) enshrines the right of children with regards to appropriate care, basic nutrition, shelter, health care services and social services.
The core functions and responsibilities of the Department are to provide developmental social welfare services to individuals, families, groups and communities through the following social protection measures:
- Protection – measures are introduced to save lives and reduce levels of deprivation
- Prevention – acting as an economic stabiliser, helping people avoid falling into deeper poverty and reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, crop failure, accidents and illness
- Promotion – aiming to enhance the capabilities of individuals, communities and institutions to participate in all spheres of activity
- Transformation – tackling inequalities and vulnerabilities through changes in policies, laws, budgetary allocations and redistributive measures
- Development and generation – increasing consumption patterns of the poor, promoting local economic development and enabling poor people access to economic and social opportunities
Office Bearers/Management
MEC
- Ms Bukiwe Fanta (ANC)
Head of Department
- Mr Mzimkhulu Machemba
Chief of Staff
- Ms Aphiwe Bewana
CFO
- Mr Gavin Marshall (Acting CFO and Director: Logistics)
COO
- Mrs Nozuko Yokwana (DDG)
Chief Directors
- Dr Shirley Hugo (Development Welfare Services)
- Mr Wandile Ncapai (Restorative Services)
- Mr Thembisile Toyiya (Acting: Corporate Services)
Directors
- Mrs Thembela Jam-Jam (Deputy Director: Management and Support: Service Standards and Quality Assurance)
- Ms Nozodwa Kobese (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager – VEP)
- Mrs Thozama Lwana (Deputy Director: Services to Older Persons)
- Mrs Notemba Mafuduka (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager: Crime Prevention)
- Mr Vuyisile Makhalane (HIV and AIDS, Care, Support and Prevention Services)
- Mr Andile Mankayi (Crime Prevention)
- Mrs Noluvuyo Mekuto (Deputy Director: HIV and AIDS, Care, Support and Prevention Services)
- Mr Moeti Mphuthing (Deputy Director: Services to Persons with Disabilities)
- Ms Zoleka Mtetho (Victim Empowerment)
- Ms Gcobisa Nkalane (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager: Crime prevention)
- Ms Nozibele Nkatsha (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager – VEP)
- Ms Tamara Nohlaka (Deputy Director: HIV and AIDS, Care, Support and Prevention Services)
- Mr Mxhosa Ntlama (Deputy Director: Services to Older Persons)
- Ms Nwabisa Qwabe (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager – Substance Abuse)
- Mr Zandisile Tafeni (Care and Support Services to Families and Director: Partial Care)
- Mr Thembinkosi Tafeni (Partial Care)
- Mr Mawethu Vena (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager – Substance Abuse)
- Mr Thanduxolo Zimba (Deputy Director: Social Work Policy Manager- Crime Prevention)
- Mrs Khulukazi Zimba (Acting: Social Welfare Service and Foster Care, Alternative Care and Adoption Services)
Senior Management
- Mr Monde Danster (Social Work Policy Manager: Care and Support Services to Families)
- Mrs Nomagcisa Gobeni (Manager: International Social Services)
- Mrs Goodness Miya (Manager: Child Care and Protection Services)
- Ms Sindiswa Mkondweni (Managemer: Child and Youth Care Services)
- Mrs Lulama Mpongoshe (Manager: Care and Support Services to Families)
- Mr Khululekile Nethe (District Manager: Amathole)
- Mrs Nomantande Ngqele (Manager: Community Based Care)
- Mr Simphiwe Nkatsha (Manager: Partial Care)
- Mr Sithembele Nyambali (Manager: Foster Care and Alternative Care)
- Ms Yvonne Qambela (Acting District Director: ORT)
- Mrs Afrika Sizaba (District Director: BCM)
Communications Officers
- Mr Nande Fayo (Communication Liaison Officer)
- Mr Mncedisi Gazi (Acting: Chief Information Officer)
- Mr Samora Madolo (Deputy Director: Communication and Media Liaison)
- Mr Mzimasi Mkanyelwa (Assistant Director: Customer Care)
- Mr Lufefe Mkutu (Media Liaison Officer)
- Mr Siphokazi Nonjobe (Communication Liaison Officer)
- Mr Thabo Ratyana (Communication Liaison Officer)
- Mr Mzukisi Solani (Director: Communication, Media Liaison and Customer Care)
- Ms Unathi Somana (Deputy Director: Customer Care Unit)
Contact Details
The contact details of the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Head Office, Phalo Avenue, 5th Floor Dukumbana Building, Independence Avenue, Bhisho, 5605 |
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X0039, Bhisho, 5605 |
| Telephone: | 043 605 5000/5542 |
| Email: | customercare@ecdsd.gov.za |
| Website: | www.ecdsd.gov.za |
