Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, called key government departments and agencies at the South End Fire Station on 11 September 2025 to address the urgent challenges of child hunger and poverty in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination of social relief and protection services for struggling families.
What Happened
The meeting brought together representatives from SASSA, the Department of Education, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, SAPS, and the Mayor’s Office. The urgent discussions centered on aligning efforts to ensure vulnerable households receive assistance more quickly and effectively.
Mayor Lobishe emphasized that the initiative is about action rather than talk.
“This initiative shows that we are not just identifying problems, we are putting plans in place to respond,” she said.
Official Response
Mayor Lobishe outlined the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality commitment to building a coordinated system of support.
“We want to be able to coordinate and collaborate our social relief and social protection services in order to address this concern. This initiative will show that we not only have foresight into issues but that we are able to respond to a challenge that has been identified,” she added.
Government departments pledged to strengthen their response capacity by sharing data, streamlining service delivery, and ensuring that food security programmes reach those most in need.
Community Impact
Child malnutrition and poverty remain pressing concerns in Nelson Mandela Bay, where thousands of families rely on social relief. The Mayor’s intervention aims to bring tangible change by cutting delays, expanding coverage, and ensuring that no child is left behind. Communities expect these partnerships to translate into more immediate food support, improved social protection, and long-term poverty reduction.
FAQ
Why was the meeting held at the South End Fire Station?
The venue was chosen as a central, accessible location for coordinating government and agency representatives.
What can families expect next?
Ongoing discussions will lead to rollout of direct interventions, including expanded feeding schemes and streamlined access to social relief.
