Internation Day for the Eradication of Poverty Held in Vaaldam, Humansdorp

The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development, in partnership with various government departments, private sector partners, and civil society organisations, today hosted the Provincial Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Vaaldam, Humansdorp, under the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.

The annual commemoration, observed globally on 17 October, forms part of a broader Government-wide and District Development Model (DDM) approach to tackling poverty, hunger, and social inequality in a coordinated manner. The event seeks to raise awareness about the various services available from government and to empower communities to access and utilise these services optimally to address social ills and promote community development.

This year’s programme also linked with World Food Day, commemorated on 16 October in Gqeberha under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture, and with National Nutrition Week (9–15 October), led by the Department of Health. Together, these initiatives emphasise the critical importance of nutrition, food security, and social protection in the fight against poverty.

The commemoration in Vaaldam served as a practical example of how government, civil society, and the private sector can collaborate to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. The event showcased the strategic goal of Social Protection by strengthening partnerships and integrating services across sectors.

The highlight of the day was the official handover of the upgraded Community Nutrition Development Centre (CNDC) to the Elderly and Children Resort Soup Kitchen in Vaaldam. The CNDC extension, valued at R650 000, will serve as a critical hub for community feeding and nutrition education.

In her keynote address, the MEC for Social Development, Hon. Nonceba Kontsiwe, emphasised that these initiatives are not merely about providing food but about restoring dignity and creating sustainable change.

Concurrent to the commemoration, the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) brought government services on wheels directly to residents of Wards 4 and 5 in Kouga Municipality. Through ICROP, community members could register for essential services, update their information, and access support from various departments without having to travel far.

The Directorate: Institutional Capacity Building and Support also facilitated the handover of certificates to cooperatives who completed skills development programmes at TARDI, empowering local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The Department of Health announced the establishment of a monthly weighing clinic in Ward 5 for mothers with children under six years, providing vital support in an identified malnutrition hotspot. The clinic will link growth monitoring to nutrition education and immunisation, ensuring a holistic approach to child health and development.

In support of food security and environmental sustainability, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment donated indigenous and fruit trees to the CNDC. The trees, provided by Mpofu Wind Farm, will be planted with compost and fertiliser donated by the Kouga Municipality.

Further strengthening this effort, the Co-op Community Trust, Felix Fields Foundation, and the Department of Agriculture have partnered to mentor and assist the CNDC in establishing a vegetable garden. This initiative aims to improve local nutrition security, promote self-sufficiency, and foster community participation in food production.

The day’s programme demonstrated the power of collaboration in action — government departments, the private sector, and community organisations working side by side to restore hope and create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

Through these collective efforts, the fight against poverty and hunger in the Sarah Baartman District takes another meaningful step forward — proving that when all sectors work “hand in hand for better food and a better future,” communities can rise above hardship with dignity and determination.