The poor must be part of anti-poverty drive: Mbete

Mbete says the success of an anti-poverty strategy will rely on its inclusion of the poor

Deputy President Baleka Mbete says the success of an anti-poverty strategy for South Africa will be judged on its ability to ensure that poor people are part of the process of drawing it up. She was speaking during a dialogue at the Union Buildings between government, business, labour and civil society organisations.

The debate is aimed at paving the way for the adoption and implementation of a co-ordinated, multi-sectoral strategy to fight poverty in the country. Poor people still generally receive poorer quality services, often in ways that undermine their ability to take advantage of economic policies.

Addressing the launch, Mbete said at the centre of poverty eradication is the creation of economic opportunities and enabling or empowering communities and individuals to access these opportunities. However, she said government cannot do it alone. She called on other structures, including Non-Government organisations (NGOs) and other community-based organisations to bring poverty into the mainstream of economic structures.

Strategy could be a success
The minister in the Presidency, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, echoed her sentiments as well. She said there’s a need to reverse the poverty situation that many young people are likely to inherit from their parents. Namhla Mniki from the African Monitor is of the view that if business partnerships, civil society and government are to effectively work together, the strategy could be a success.

But ineffective institutions are some of the challenges that government needs to address. Among those that need attention are some local government structures that are characterised by red tape, corruption and inefficiency.

- SABC