Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

09/19/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2025 08:16

NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY LAUNCHES ANTI-CHILD POVERTY CAMPAIGN

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, under the leadership of Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, has officially launched the Anti-Child Poverty Campaign at the Govan Mbeki Multi-Purpose Centre.

The campaign is a collaborative initiative designed to confront the harsh realities of child poverty while providing sustainable, long-term solutions for vulnerable children and their families. In partnership with key stakeholders, including the Department of Home Affairs, SASSA, and the Eastern Cape Departments of Health, Education, Social Development, Justice and Correctional Services, as well as SAPS, non-profit organisations, and the private sector. The campaign brings together services and programmes to directly support children and caregivers.

Through this campaign, communities will have access to:
  • Documentation and certification services to ensure children have valid legal records.
  • Registration for child support grants to ease the financial burden on families.
  • Referrals and placement for vulnerable children to safeguard their wellbeing.
  • Support for single mothers to strengthen households.
  • Access to schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to advance learning opportunities
  • Primary healthcare services for children and families.
  • Child nutrition programmes to combat hunger and support healthy development.
Delivering her keynote address, Executive Mayor Lobishe stressed that the campaign is not just a municipal initiative but a collective call to action across the district. "The launch of this campaign is a call to action for all stakeholders, government, civil society, faith-based organisations, the private sector, and educational institutions. This is not just a municipal campaign; it is district-wide, collaborative, and integrated. Our mission is to fight child poverty on every front and in every form. Child poverty is not only about statistics. It has faces, names, homes, and schools. It is a reality we see every day across Nelson Mandela Bay, and one we are determined to change," said Mayor Lobishe.

She further highlighted the campaign's seven focus pillars, which include:
  • Juvenile offenders
  • Documentation and certification
  • Child support grant registration
  • Early Childhood Development (ECD) and schooling
  • Referrals and places of safety
  • Support to mothers
  • Primary healthcare and nutrition

Furthermore, the Executive Mayor handed over school uniforms to learners to better equip them for school.

"I am grateful to the mayor for bringing this innovation to Ward 33. I am confident that it will bring positive change to our area," said Ward 33 Councillor, Mzandile Sidina.

Nokwayiyo Kemele, a resident of Ward 33, shared her joy about today's programme, thanking the Municipality for introducing it to the community. She noted that receiving uniforms made the occasion even more special and meaningful for residents.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality calls on all residents, community organisations, and partners to support this campaign and work together to break the cycle of child poverty, ensuring every child can grow, thrive, and succeed.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality published this content on September 19, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 19, 2025 at 14:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]