The Western Cape Department of Social Development is the department of the Western Cape Government mandated to ensure that a comprehensive network of social development services is provided to enable and empower the vulnerable, poor, and those with special needs within the Western Cape province of South Africa.
The Department of Social Development – the heart of provincial government – is among the province’s service delivery engines that uses the life cycle approach, supports and protects the poor and most vulnerable in society through different interventions.
The Department of Social Development is committed to the following core functions:
- Providing a community development service that provides sustainable development programmes, which facilitate the empowerment of communities.
- Providing a Social welfare service to the poor and vulnerable in partnership with stakeholders and civil society organisations, and
The services of the Department aim to help residents become self-sufficient, independent and healthy, with positive family, personal and social relationships; the ability to be active participants in communities and the greater South African society.
The Department therefore strives to strengthen families’ resilience to violence. Preserving family units is crucial when improving the health and functionality of children and building safer communities. Services are provided to families at risk promoting safe and protected family environments. This includes services to address domestic and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), family counselling and mediation, and drug treatment.
Vision
A self-reliant society.
Mission
To ensure the provision of a comprehensive network of social development services that enables and empowers the poor, the vulnerable and those with special needs.
Key Service Delivery Principles
The Department of Social Development is committed to the key service delivery principles:
- Working differently: The Department endeavours to explore and test different and innovative ways of working to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time without compromising quality.
- Consultation and inclusion: The Department pays on-going attention to meaningful engagement with its partners and stakeholders as defined in the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act.
- Accessibility: Accessibility of services to those who need it is essential. The Department will continue modernising its structure and process where necessary over the MTEF period.
- Accountability and transparency: Institutionalise good corporate governance through the implementation of results-based monitoring, evaluation and reporting, sound business process, policies, and enhancement of compliance to improve accountability and performance.
Office Bearers/Management
| MEC: | Jaco Londt (Minister) (Democratic Alliance) |
| Head of Department: | Dr Robert Macdonald |
| Chief of Staff: | Abram Phahlamohlaka |
| CFO: | n/a |
| Chief Directors: | – L Goosen (Social Welfare and Restorative Services) – M Hewu (Community and Partnership Development) – M Johnson (Business Planning and Strategy) – C Jordan (Children, Families, and Vulnerable Groups) – J Smith (Financial Management) – A van Reenen (Service Delivery Management and Coordination) |
| Directors: | – S Abrahams (Regional Director: Metro North Region) – M Arendse (Acting: Cape Winelands- Overberg Region) – Q Arendse (Regional Director: Metro South Region) – L Arnolds (Community Development) – D Dreyer (Partnership Development) – Dr W du Toit (Regional Director: West Coast Region) – M Gaba (Restorative Services) – M Harris (Regional Director: Metro East Region) – M Hendricks (Regional Director: Eden-Karoo Region) – D Holley (Finance) – M Jonkerman (Facility Management) – T Kwakwini (Acting: Children and Families) – G Miller (Research and Information Management) – P Momoza (Vulnerable Groups) – S Nieftagodien (Business Planning and Monitoring) – R Patel (Operational Management Support) – T Rakiep (Supply Chain Management) |
| Senior Management: | n/a |
| Communications Officers: | – Esther Lewis (Deputy Director: Communications) – Monique Mortlock-Malgas (Spokesperson to MEC) – Sharlene Naiker (Media Liaison Officer) – Ananda Nel |
Contact Details
The contact details of the Western Cape Department of Social Development are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Union House, 14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8001 |
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X9112, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Telephone: | – 021 483 5045 – 0800 220 250 |
| Fax: | 021 483 4783 |
| Email: | – sd.customercare@westerncape.gov.za – hod.dsd@westerncape.gov.za (Head of Department) |
| Website: | www.westerncape.gov.za/social-development |
