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officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the Oasis Skills Development Centre from 03 November 2025 to assess ongoing progress in respite care services for children with disabilities. The visit forms part of a four-year joint project to build sustainable, inclusive care models in South Africa.
What Happened?
The delegation, joined by members of the non-profit sector, conducted a walkabout at the Oasis Skills Development Centre, a DSD-funded facility offering respite care and developmental support for children with disabilities. The centre’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) component is also supported by the Department of Education.
Centre Coordinator Megan Eksteen guided the delegation through the facility, demonstrating how its programs provide temporary relief for families while nurturing the development of children with special needs.
The centre was relaunched in 2020 through a partnership between DSD and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), serving as a model for inclusive, community-based care.
Official Response
The visit was part of the Project for the Expansion of Respite Care Services to Families of and Children with Disabilities, a four-year collaboration between DSD and JICA. The project aims to create a nationally replicable model of community-based respite care.
The program is being piloted in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, where it supports caregivers and social workers through capacity-building initiatives.
“This partnership strengthens our shared goal of ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to quality care and developmental support,” said a DSD official during the visit.
Community Impact
The partnership is expected to improve access to specialized care for children with disabilities while easing pressure on caregivers. By focusing on training, sustainability, and inclusivity, the project directly supports South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) goal of building equitable and compassionate social services.
Communities in pilot areas are already benefiting from increased awareness, improved caregiver training, and stronger local support structures.
