Gauteng Social Development to offer skills programmes for recovering substance users

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko is planning to assist recovering substance users with skills development programs.

On Friday, Mazibuko visited several individuals at their homes in Soweto who recently completed treatment through the Bakae Initiative, a government-funded program that places substance users in rehabilitation centres. Since its launch in 2022, more than 10,000 beneficiaries have gone through the program.

Mazibuko said the next critical step is helping them reintegrate into society. “We are busy establishing halfway centres. We have many NPOs that we fund, and we want to link them to those so that they can do skills development. Thereafter, they can find work.”

She said the department is also responsible for creating sustainable livelihoods. “We also assist them by linking them to our food bank to ensure that as they are training, at least there is something to eat at home, and also counselling parents because the non-trust creates problems.”

MEC Mazibuko added that she plans to open more rehabilitation centres in the province.