SOCIAL Development minister Sisisi Tolashe, has called for urgent employment of 55,000 social services professionals to address the escalating crisis of gender-based violence, poverty, and crime due to rising social services demands in the country.

Tolashe said that recently, during a two-day workshop held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg.

The workshop, themed ‘enhancing collaboration with the private and business sectors’, explored implementing the newly approved government strategy of employing social service professionals amid growing demand for social services in the country.

According to the National Development Plan (NDP), the country needs 55,000 professionals by 2030, to address the ongoing demands for social services.

In her address, Tolashe said, currently, the government employs 23,561 social service professionals, which includes social workers, auxiliary social workers, child and youth care workers, and community development practitioners.

She highlighted that the need to implement the strategy is more pressing than ever.

“With only five years remaining to achieve the NDP’s Vision 2030, it is crucial that we accelerate our efforts.”

Tolashe underscored the vital role of social service professionals in upholding the country’s constitutional and international commitments.

“The social service professions are essential for fulfilling our constitutional duties and adhering to international treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” she said.

“These professionals play a key role in tackling poverty, addressing social issues such as crime, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence.”

She also stressed the challenges that the sector is currently battling with.

“Despite the pivotal roles played by social service professionals, we face difficulties in providing the necessary employment opportunities for many qualified individuals due to fiscal constraints and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Tolashe.

“The pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to strengthen our social service workforce, particularly in under-serviced and rural areas.”

She also acknowledged the role of community-based and civil society organisations.

“The promotion of national social development is a collective responsibility,” she said.

Tolashe said that the government alone cannot address all the pressing needs of social development and urged all partner organisations, including the private sector, to work together to achieve the goals outlined in the NDP.

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Social services needs 55,000 professionals, says Minister Tolashe