MEC Vilakazi and Sassa to host community outreach in Batlharos

The Northern Cape MEC for Social Development, Nontobeko Vilakazi, will spearhead an Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, at the Batlharos Community Hall in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.

This high-impact outreach is being held in partnership with the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), and is designed to bring vital government and social services directly to the community, with a special focus on residents in rural, remote, and underserved areas.

ICROP is one of Sassa’s flagship initiatives aimed at reducing the barriers to accessing essential services. It cuts down on the need for travel, saves transportation costs, and minimises administrative delays, allowing residents to receive assistance close to home.

The programme will begin at 9 am with a community dialogue session, where MEC Vilakazi and various stakeholders will engage directly with residents. This session will allow community members to voice concerns, ask questions, and hear firsthand about services available to them.

Following the dialogue, government departments, public entities, non-governmental organisations, and private sector partners will facilitate a wide range of services on-site. These include social grant applications, social development support services, and other essential government offerings.

MEC Vilakazi will be joined by senior officials from both the Department of Social Development and Sassa, as well as representatives from all three spheres of government, demonstrating a united approach to accessible and people-centred service delivery.

The ICROP aligns with the broader government strategy to promote active citizenship, improve service integration, and uphold values of dignity, inclusion, and responsiveness.

Residents of Batlharos and surrounding areas are encouraged to attend and make use of the services that will be provided during this important outreach.