Social Development
(a) What is the purpose of his Department’s Mobile Office Programme, (b) in which communities has the mobile office operated during the past 12 months, (c) what services are provided at the mobile office, (d) how many beneficiaries have been assisted at the mobile office during the last two financial years, (e) what measures are in place to ensure that vulnerable groups are adequately reached, (f) what resources are allocated to the Mobile Office Programme and (g) what challenges affect the effectiveness of the mobile office;
(2)
whether there are plans to expand the number of mobile office visits in underserved areas; if so, what are the relevant details?
- (a) What is the purpose of his Department’s Mobile Office Programme
Rendering social welfare services to the communities in the rural areas where clients are unable or have difficulties to access services provided from the fixed offices.
, (b) in which communities has the mobile office operated during the past 12 months,
The districts that are covered by the mobile offices are: Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, Overberg, West Coast. The communities that fall within these districts that were serviced during first two weeks in March 2026: Robertson, Ashton, Zolani, Beaufort West, Merweville, Witteklip, Langebaan, Hopefield, Klaarstroom, Prince Albert Road (Station), Leeu-Gamka, Piket-Bo-Berg, Redelinghuys, Aurora, Suurbraak, R60 Farms (Swellendam), Die Boord (Swellendam).
Weekly schedules are circulated on social media pages.
(c) what services are provided at the mobile office,
Child Protection, Family preservation and reunification, Victim empowerment. Services to Older persons, Services for persons for Disabilities, substance abuse prevention
(d) how many beneficiaries have been assisted at the mobile office during the last two financial years,
776 beneficiaries
(e) what measures are in place to ensure that vulnerable groups are adequately reached,
The mobile offices are one measure to ensure that vulnerable groups are reached. Other measures include a spread of local offices and satellite offices across the province, vehicles for social workers to travel to clients, DSD participation in outreach programs, and partnerships with funded NPOs in communities across the province.
(f) what resources are allocated to the Mobile Office Programme and
Printer procured for each mobile office. Staff use their smartphones and laptops.
(g) what challenges affect the effectiveness of the mobile office;
Minor challenges in terms of maintenance issues of the office mobile. Limited numbers of staff with a code 10 to drive the mobile.
- whether there are plans to expand the number of mobile office visits in underserved areas; if so, what are the relevant details?
The impact of the existing mobile offices is being monitored and the program will be expanded based on indications of whether there is a need. Areas that would be under consideration include the Eden Karoo area (farming areas in the Garden Route) and the Cape Winelands/Overberg Region.
