The Department of Social Development celebrated the official opening of its new Stellenbosch Service Delivery Area (SSDA) on Tuesday 5 September. Located on the second Floor of the Absa Building in Plein Street, the premises accommodated around 80 officials and stakeholders on the day.
It marked significant strides made in enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of social services. Before this new development staff had to navigate the challenges of operating from Paarl. This distance posed operational inefficiencies and difficulties in swiftly addressing the needs of Stellenbosch residents.
“With the new office, services have been brought closer to the people, enabling staff to serve the community more efficiently,” Ruth Magrath, Community Development Practitioner for the SSDA, pointed out.
The Stellenbosch Service Delivery Area is already known for its inspiring success stories.
Among them the journey of Patricia Hendricks stands out.
Currently a social-work student at Stellenbosch University, she shared her personal story during the event.
“At a young age I was removed from my mother. I didn’t understand it then, but today I do.
“Though the path wasn’t smooth I received love, care, and nurturing from my foster parents. I’m now on a mission, through social work, to guide another child to understand that their past doesn’t dictate their future.
“It’s not just about duty; it’s about love for the people.”
The office is open from 07:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, serving across Stellenbosch Municipality. Under the guidance of Acting Social Work Manager Sivuyile Mtlaka, the team comprises four dedicated social-work supervisors – Emma de Villiers, Lezel Sass, Petdro George, and Merle Danhouse.
As it embarked on this new chapter, the department wished to convey to the public that its doors are always open.
It was eager to spread the word about its services and welcomed suggestions for how it could further promote them.
For more information on the new SSDA office, or for people to familiarise themselves with the range of services on offer, they can contact the office on 021 831 5460.
