Thandiswa Nketyana –  Paralegal Coordinator,
Department of Social Responsibility Paralegal Justice Programme

203 cases were reported to the office with the highest numbers of Disability Grant and Child Support Grant applications.  HIV/Aids related illnesses are main contributor to the high number of Disability Grant applications because people with a CD4 count less that 200 are entitled to apply. Social Security beneficiaries are encouraged to start food gardening projects trying to move them away from grant dependency. As a result of that, two pieces of land have been identified by community members at Nompandlana at Border Post and Freshwater at Ndakana.  Both these communities have started with growing vegetables and Mr. Magida is mentoring them. There is a noticeable speed on Foster Care grant applications and the social worker in charge of Kei Road area contacts the office and the clients on regular basis for updates.

The Department of Social Development still continues with its monthly visits to Kei Road.  These visits are for people from Kei Road, Border Post, Majali and Frankfort to come and make new Social Security Grants applications, grant reviews and appeals.  This is very helpful as people do not have to travel to Stutterheim at a cost of R35.00 to apply for Social Security grants.