The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development, through its Human Resource Development (HRD) Unit, successfully hosted a two-day HRD Stakeholder Engagement Session in partnership with Nelson Mandela University from 27 to 28 January 2026 at the university’s North Campus.

When MEC Bukiwe Fanta visited Asherville Senior Secondary School in Graaff-Reinet during the Back-to-School campaign earlier this year, a stakeholder engagement created space for honest reflection on challenges facing the school. School leadership and community representatives raised concerns around limited parental involvement and increasing disciplinary pressures among learners issues identified as barriers to academic progress.

The Member of the Excutive Council (MEC) for Social Development, Ms Bukiwe Fanta, visited Cebolesizwe Family Resource Centre in Dimbaza on 29 January 2026. This visit was to support as the centre hosted international funders from Germany. Situated in the Zabalaza area outside King William’s Town within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, the centre has become a vital community resource providing care, protection and support services to children and families.