Mpumalanga Department of Social Development

04/09/2026

Taking Legislature to the People concludes in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

Today, 4 September 2026, marked the final day of the Taking Legislature to the People programme in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, which commenced on 31 August 2026 at Themba Senamela Stadium.

Throughout the programme, community members had an opportunity to engage directly with various government departments and service providers at the exhibition stalls.

Social Workers reported that the majority of enquiries received were related to:
• Disability grants and special schools
• NPO registration and funding
• Foster care enquiries

SASSA officials indicated that most enquiries focused on:
• Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants
• Grant reviews
• Accessing the Older Persons Grant

All enquiries received at the exhibition stalls were attended to, with matters that could be resolved on-site addressed accordingly.

Cases requiring further intervention, including home visits, were referred to the relevant local offices for follow-up and assistance.

Taking Legislature to the People continues to bring government closer to the people.

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

TAKING THE LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE | YOUTH SECTOR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Rockdale Community Hall, Middelburg | 3 September 2026

Issues affecting young people will receive the much-needed attention of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. This was the assurance given by the MEC for Social Development, Nompumelelo Hlophe, when addressing young people during the Youth Sector Stakeholder Engagement Session held at Rockdale Community Hall in Middelburg.

The engagement provided provincial government departments with an opportunity to present programmes and opportunities available to young people, while creating a platform for meaningful and open engagement between youth and government on issues affecting them.

MEC Hlophe encouraged young people to take advantage of available opportunities, including the Premier’s Youth Fund and other programmes offered by various provincial government departments.

“The Mpumalanga Provincial Government encourages young people to apply for opportunities under the Premier’s Youth Fund, as well as other opportunities provided by various departments in the province,” said MEC Hlophe.
The Youth Sector Stakeholder Engagement was organised by the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature as part of its Taking the Legislature to the People programme and was attended by representatives from various government departments.

The Department of Social Development was among the departments showcasing opportunities and services available to young people.

Mr Peter Maluleka from the Community Development Unit highlighted the services offered by youth development centres across the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. He also spoke about the services provided by the Nkangala Inpatient Treatment Centre to young people experiencing substance use disorders.

Mr Maluleka urged young people to make use of the services available and encouraged them to contact Social Development offices in their communities for assistance and support.

Government and young people working together to build a better and more empowered Mpumalanga.

03/09/2026

Portfolio Committee On Social Development continues Oversight Visit to Khuphukani Youth Development Centre, Somaphepha Village, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality | 03 September 2026

The Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development continued its oversight visit to the Khuphukani Youth Development Centre in Somaphepha Village, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Nkonyane, expressed satisfaction with the valuable services provided by the centre to young people in the community.

The MEC for Social Development, Ms Nompumelelo Hlophe, reported that the centre had exceeded its planned target of reaching 1,200 young people during the 2025/26 financial year, successfully reaching 1,436 young people.

The Committee also welcomed the support provided by the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality to the centre. The District Director for Nkangala Dr Matoane indicated that the centre currently operates from a rented house, which is not an ideal environment for delivering services. The municipality has committed to provide land at the Multi-Purpose Centre, while a local mine has pledged to donate a container to support the centre’s operations.

Ms Nkonyane welcomed these developments, noting that reducing rental costs would allow the centre to redirect funds towards essential equipment such as computers and printers, thereby strengthening its capacity to serve young people.

“The support and involvement of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Youth Desk in supporting youth centres is very critical in ensuring that centres funded by the Department continue to provide essential services and programmes such as career guidance workshops, life skills programmes, entrepreneurship development and computer literacy training,” said Ms Nkonyane.

MEC Hlophe described Khuphukani Youth Development Centre as a beacon of hope for young people across Steve Tshwete, highlighting its strong implementation of youth programmes and its partnerships with other non-profit organisations that share the centre’s vision.

Portfolio Committee Member Ms Ndlovu also acknowledged the important role played by the Community Development Practitioners in monitoring and supporting the centre.

Also in attendance was Mr Banele Nyathikazi, Manager: Monitoring and Evaluation in the Office of the Premier. At the request of the Chairperson, Mr Nyathikazi will assist the centre with its application for the Premier’s Youth Fund, which could further strengthen its programmes and support to young people.

The Committee commends Khuphukani Youth Development Centre, the Department of Social Development, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and all partners for their continued commitment to empowering young people and creating opportunities for a better future.

02/09/2026

Celebrating Success: Service Users Complete Electrical Training Programme

The Department proudly congratulates four service users from Nkangala Inpatient Treatment Centre who have successfully completed the Electrical Training Programme.

The programme consisted of two months of basic electrical training, followed by two months of practical work experiential learning, during which participants received a stipend to support their participation.

Today, 2 September 2026, the four graduates were awarded certificates in recognition of their successful completion of the programme.

The certificates were presented by the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Councillor VJ Nhlapho, at Emalahleni Local Municipality.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between Emalahleni Local Municipality and Phemphetse Training Academy, aimed at supporting service users as part of an aftercare programme by equipping them with practical skills, promoting self-reliance, and creating opportunities for reintegration into the community.

Congratulations to our graduates:

Mike Mandlazi
Jack Seragodile Komane
Blessing Kgomotso Mogudi
Themba Mashiane.

The Department extends its sincere appreciation to Executive Mayor Councillor VJ Nhlapho for recognising and supporting this important initiative and for taking the time to award the graduates their certificates.

We also express our heartfelt gratitude to Phemphetse Training Academy for providing the training, practical learning opportunities and invaluable support to our service users.

Your partnership is helping to empower individuals with skills, confidence and opportunities for a brighter and more independent future.

02/09/2026

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TAKES LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE IN HENDRINA

As part of the Taking Legislature to the People (TLP) programme, the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, led by its Chairperson, Ms Randy Nkonyane, conducted an oversight visit to KwaZamokuhle Protective Workshop in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The Committee called for urgent action to:

Secure permanent land for the centre, which currently operates from a rented RDP house.
Support staff members who do not have Grade 12 to improve their qualifications.

Address illegal electricity connections with Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and Eskom, which are disrupting the centre’s operations.

Develop inclusive education and skills programmes that enable persons with disabilities to obtain recognised qualifications and improve their employability.

KwaZamokuhle Protective Workshop is a non-profit organisation (NPO) funded by the Department of Social Development to provide services to persons with disabilities.

The MEC for Social Development, Ms Nompumelelo Hlophe, assured the Committee that the concerns raised would be addressed and that written responses would be submitted.

The oversight visit was also attended by Public Service Commissioner, Mr Bheki Zulu.

01/09/2026

TAKING LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE | STEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Today, 1 September 2026, the Department of Social Development participated in the Joint Social, Economic, Governance and Administration Clusters Public Hearing held at Themba Senamela Stadium, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The public hearing provided community members with an opportunity to raise concerns, share challenges and seek clarity on the services they receive from various government departments, municipalities and public entities.

Among the issues raised were:

A request for a SASSA pay point, as community members indicated that they have to travel long distances to access services.
Concerns about the high prevalence of substance abuse in the community.
A case involving a deaf child who is not currently receiving a disability grant.
A request for the establishment of a Youth Development Centre in the community.

Responding to the concerns, MEC for Social Development, Ms Nompumelelo Hlophe, assured the community that the department would explore the possibility of providing SASSA pay point services either weekly or every second week.

On substance abuse, the MEC encouraged community members to support people struggling with substance use by contacting local Social Workers, who can facilitate access to appropriate treatment services, including the Nkangala Inpatient Treatment Centre, which serves the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality area.

Regarding the request for a Youth Development Centre, MEC Hlophe explained that such centres are Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) funded by the Department of Social Development. The community was encouraged to register an organisation, after which the department can provide the necessary support.

On the matter of the deaf child, the MEC indicated that a Social Worker will conduct a home visit to assess the family's circumstances and assist the child in accessing the appropriate disability grant and other available support services.

The Department of Social Development, together with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), also provided community members with information on available services through exhibitions held alongside the public hearing.

28/08/2026

Department of Social Development Women’s Day Celebration.

As part of its continued efforts to address the issues and challenges faced by women in the workplace, the Department of Social Development today, 28 August 2026, held its annual Women’s Day Celebration at Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Nkangala District.

The celebration created a safe and empowering platform for women from across the Department to openly discuss issues affecting them and engage with various stakeholders on possible solutions.

Key topics addressed included:

🔹 Awareness on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
🔹 Financial Management
🔹 Support for Widows and Divorced Women
🔹 Women Leadership and Empowerment

The programme was further enriched by the talented Barberton-born artist, Phumla Angel Nkomo, affectionately known as “Phumla Music,” who entertained and uplifted the women through her music.

Motivational speaker from Ligwalagwala FM, Ms P**e, inspired attendees with a powerful session on Women Leadership and Empowerment, encouraging women to recognise their potential, embrace leadership opportunities and continue supporting one another.

The Women’s Day Celebration was attended by women from all three districts of the Department in Province, creating an opportunity for networking, learning, reflection and collective empowerment.

27/08/2026

Social grant payment dates for September 2026

✅ Older Persons- 02 September 2026
✅ Disability Grants- 03 September 2026
✅ Children's Grants – 04 September 2026

*IMPORTANT MESSAGE:*
Payments for some beneficiaries who have been targeted for review will be on 07 September 2026

27/08/2026

MPUMALANGA PREPARES TO COMPETE AT THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL ACTIVE AGEING PROGRAMME!

Today 27 August 2026, As provinces prepare to participate in this year’s National Active Ageing Programme, The Department of Social Development together with the Mpumalanga Older Person's Forum is confident that the team assembled will represent the province very well and return victorious.

This was said confidently by MEC for Social Development, Ms Nompumelelo Hlophe when congratulating the team selected to represent the province in this upcoming National Active Ageing Programme to be held in Free State.

MEC Hlophe made the brave remarks when adressing sponsors, organisers ,and all stakeholders involved in the Provincial Active Ageing Programme at ANEW Resort White River Mbombela where senior citizens 60 years and above participated in different sporting codes and later the team to represent the province was selected.

MEC Hlophe concluded by wishing all those who have been selected to represent the province all the best as they are about to begin to take a journey of competing with other provinces in sporting codes endorsed by the Department of Culture Sports & Recreation.