Western Cape Department of Social Development takes its services to Tankwa
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) took its services to one of the most rural parts of the province: the Tankwa Karoo, an area bordering the Northern Cape.
On Saturday, 4 October 2025, the department brought the DSD Mobile Office along with staff to the Tankwa Family Day. Every year, government departments, NGOs, and farmers host a family weekend for the people of Tankwa, bring services closer to residents.
DSD was joined by various entities including the Western Cape Departments of Health and Wellness, Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, as well as Witzenberg Municipality and the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
Witzenberg Executive Mayor Trevor Abrahams said, “It is with great pride and heartfelt appreciation that I welcome these much-needed services to the Tankwa region. This area holds a unique place in our municipality, and initiatives like these bring hope, support, and opportunity to communities that have long awaited meaningful engagement. The Tankwa Family Day is a truly special occasion. It celebrates the essence of what binds us together, family.”
Cape Winelands Executive Mayor Dr elna von Schlicht said, “Family Day in the Tankwa Karoo shows that no community is too for us to bring more services to. Every resident deserves dignified services, and by bringing government closer, we ensure that no one is left behind, especially those in the most rural parts of our province.”
Provincial Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt added that the event was the perfect way to kick off Social Development Month – which is celebrated in October.
Minister Londt said, “A year ago we launched our first DSD Mobile Office in the Central Karoo, with the aim of taking social services to the doorsteps of residents. Now we have three of these offices traversing the most rural parts of the province. With the Mobile Office, we can be part of incredible events like this. Here we have all spheres of government, civil society, and the business sector coming together to bring crucial services to residents for whom traveling to the nearest town to access government services might be too costly or challenging.”
He added, “We also see other innovations by DSD in action, like the Social Work Integrated Management System application (SWIMS). Social workers traveling with the DSD Mobile Office are not only able to assist more vulnerable residents in rural areas, but they can also log cases quickly and efficiently on the road – even if in an area with no signal – with the SWIMS App.”
To access more information about services offered by the department call our toll-free number on 0800 220 250, send an email to SD.CustomerCare@westerncape.gov.za, or visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/social-development or for information about how you can support organisations, visit: https://capecarefund.org.za/
Media Enquiries
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Jaco Londt
Department of Social Development
Email: Monique.Mortlock@westerncape.gov.za