Supporting The Cape

Supporting The Cape

Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, is committed to supporting vulnerable communities

With previous experience in the banking sector, Sharna Gail Fernandez was sworn in as the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Social Development, in May 2019. Prior to this, Fernandez served as the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (between 2014 and 2019). She is also a Member of the Democratic Alliance (DA).

A LIFE-LONG LEARNER

Minister Sharna Fernandez grew up in the southern suburbs, Cape Town, and matriculated from South Peninsula High School. A self-proclaimed ‘life-long learner’, she completed her diplomas in Sales and Marketing, and Business Management, respectively.

No stranger to adversity and social challenges, Fernandez’s passion for service and social cohesion was ingrained in her from a very impressionable age. Before venturing into politics, she served 30 years working in major South African banks, and has held the positions of Regional Manager, Sales and Service and acting General Manager of the ABSA mortgage division. Minister Fernandez is also a well-known business leader with Partners for Possibility.

THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING:

• A Social Welfare Service to the poor and vulnerable in partnership with stakeholders and civil society organisations

• A Community Development Service that provides sustainable development programmes, which facilitate empowerment of communities.

VISION Build a self-reliant society.

MISSION To ensure the provision of a comprehensive network of social development services that enables and empowers the poor, the vulnerable and those with special needs.

AN ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT

During her time as the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Social Development, Fernandez has shown great interest and investment in addressing the issues plaguing communities in the province. From access to education and empowering the youth, to gender-based violence, Minister Fernandez has played a pivotal role in the management and oversight over social security, encompassing social assistance and social insurance policies.

On 24 September 2021, in commemoration of Heritage Day, Minister Fernandez launched the Department of Social Developments twelfth Youth Café, based in Riversdale, in partnership with the Hessequa Municipality.

These Youth Cafés are an initiative born out of the Provincial Youth Development Strategy, which calls for improving education outcomes (developing crucial skills for employment) and opportunities for youth.

"Youth Cafés offer young people the opportunity to acquire job readiness skills, gain entrepreneurial insights and training, and learn how to access funding opportunities, as well as practical training programmes across various sectors. They offer an accessible environment where young people may also find a sense of belonging among like-minded peers”, said Minister Fernandez.

“I am mindful of the importance of Youth Development. The importance of such services could not come at a better time, especially as we continue to mitigate the economic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

FIGHTING FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS

As part of the #365DaysOfActivism campaign, Minister Fernandez made it her mission to address the criminal and social injustice that is genderbased violence. In November, the Courageous Conversations Series with government officials went off with a bang, and was geared towards strengthening

collaboration, coordination, and effectiveness of the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) efforts to address GBV.

Minister Fernandez then collaborated with the Western Cape’s Women’s Shelter Movement in a virtual meeting, at the beginning of December, to discuss the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic on shelters providing support for victims of gender-based violence (GBV).

“I am acutely aware that collaborating with key stakeholders providing victims support services remains crucial to helping us create a society in which safety is prioritised and the rights and needs of victims of gender-based violence are acknowledged and effectively addressed”, said Minister Fernandez.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude for all the work being done by all shelter management teams and their staff. We are remarkably grateful to every VEP shelter in the province, for stepping up to the plate during these challenging times and providing much-needed services to the many women who find themselves destitute after being victims of GBV.

Minister Fernandez joins Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, to vaccinate Minstrels at Lentegeur Hospital, in Mitchells Plain.

“After all, gender-based violence sees no race, ethnicity, class or political affiliation. It is these types of collaborative efforts that will enable us to make a tangible difference - 365 days a year for the people of our Province.” Aside from these initiatives, as well as many of her other ongoing projects, Minister Sharna Fernandez has shown much empathy and compassion in her efforts to uplift the Western Province, especially as the world faces the impact of COVID-19.

“Whilst the uncertainty that we are dealing with during these unprecedented times makes extra caution reasonable, delivering social development services to our citizens, particularly the vulnerable, is at the heart of what we do.

“Government’s success in mitigating the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a consequence of how as a society, we have come together to unite against a common goal,” concluded Minister Fernandez. n

Premier Winde and Minister Fernandez engage with Wynberg social workers following World Mental Health Day