Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa to launch Bana Pele Programme
Issued by the Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
25 May 2005

The Gauteng Provincial Government will launch the Bana Pele programme
on International Children's Day, Wednesday 1 June 2005, in Claremont,
Johannesburg.

Bana Pele is a package of free services aimed at the poorest and most
vulnerable children and is in line with the provincial government's
commitment to build an effective and caring government and to make
Gauteng a province fit for all children.

Premier Mbhazima Shilowa announced the initiative during the opening of
the Gauteng Legislature on February 21, saying that all children
eligible to receive the child support grant would be entitled to free
health care at clinics and hospitals, free screening for the early
detection of disabilities and special needs, as well as free
psycho-social support by social workers. The province's poorest
children (in the first quintile as defined by the Gauteng education
department) will qualify for school fee exemption and school feeding
while the poorest Grade 1s will get free school uniforms.

Bana Pele aims to provide key social services in a more integrated way.
The aim is to make it easier for children to access the services and
make sure that more children benefit.
The programme for the launch on Wednesday 1 June is as follows:
* 9h00 MECs for Social Development, Health and Education hand out
school kits at Laerskool Claremont
* 10h00 Public meeting at Danie van Zyl Recreational Centre,
Claremont, to be addressed by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa For more
information, contact Sam Muofhe on (011) 355 7873/ 0835078068