Zipho Xego
In the Cwebe community nestled within the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape, a transformative workshop recently took place, addressing critical themes of hunger, malnutrition, and social vulnerability. This workshop was one of nine themes that emerged from the data collected from the Women RISE research sites. Government engagements were then held, where relevant departments were invited to deliberate on the issues at hand, and from there, this community workshop provided an opportunity to bridge the gap in knowledge between the local people and the government. The attendees included the Department of Social Development, along with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Home Affairs. This gathering aimed not only to disseminate information but also to provide essential services directly to the community.
Figure 1: Cwebe Community Residents gathered for the Community Engagement on Hunger and Malnutrition (May 2024)
Originally planned as a two-day workshop, the event quickly evolved into a dynamic day of interaction and engagement between community members and the participating departments. The fusion of themes—hunger and malnutrition, alongside social grants and vulnerability—highlighted the interconnected challenges faced by many individuals and families within the community. This was a first of its kind in the community of Cwebe. A community that has long felt deserted and forgotten had an opportunity to interact with government officials on their own turf. This was made possible by the Women Rise project, which fostered discussion between the community and government, acting as the bridge between the two. It was beautiful to witness the engagements and the commitment from both the community and government departments in addressing the pressing issues surrounding malnutrition and hunger in the area. Some immediate interventions were implemented while others were put into action as part of working plans. One notable example was the government bringing its services to attend to the needs of the people, as the community shared how expensive and challenging it is for them to travel to town to access these services. The medium-term plans included supporting impoverished school-going children with school uniforms and eradicating stunting and malnutrition in children aged 5 years and younger through the provision of nutritious food and ongoing monitoring.
Figure 2: South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) get involved in discussions of hunger, vulnerability and social grants (May 2024)
The community engagement provided an opportune platform for community members to voice their concerns and share their experiences openly. One prevalent issue highlighted during discussions was the lack of documentation for children under the age of five.
Without proper documentation, accessing vital services and support becomes significantly challenging for these children and their families, which is a serious issue in the area. People of the Cwebe community are mostly dependent on social grants, and this hurdle for them is a significant one as it prevents them from accessing their main source of income.
Another pressing concern raised by attendees revolved around the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant and its accessibility. Many expressed frustration over the bureaucracy and inefficiencies in the application process, citing instances where individuals were removed from the system after receiving financial assistance. This removal often left vulnerable individuals without the means to meet their basic needs, exacerbating their already precarious situations.
Additionally, elderly members of the community voiced their grievances, particularly regarding the responsibility placed on them when the younger generation migrated away, leaving behind children under their care. Compounding this issue was the tendency for younger relatives to take the social grant cards with them, further limiting access to essential resources for both the elderly and the children left in their care.
Despite the challenges discussed, the workshop served as a catalyst for collaboration and action. Representatives from the Department of Social Development, SASSA, and Home Affairs actively engaged with community members, offering guidance, support, and practical solutions to address their concerns.
Moving forward, workshops like these are essential for fostering community empowerment and resilience. By creating spaces for dialogue, information sharing, and service provision, communities can collectively tackle complex issues such as hunger, malnutrition, and social vulnerability. The event highlighted the interconnected challenges faced by individuals and families within the community and emphasised the critical need for immediate interventions and long-term solutions. From addressing documentation issues for children to improving the accessibility of social relief grants, the workshop facilitated meaningful discussions and actions aimed at alleviating the hardships experienced by vulnerable populations, especially those in remote rural areas like Cwebe.
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