The provincial programmes ensure provision of developmental social services to vulnerable groups within its basket of services, including women, older persons, youth and persons living with disabilities. MaRocks Laundry Services, will receive a cheque from the MEC for Social Development, a grant provided by the NDA to assist this group of youth graduates to advance the Cooperative since work opportunity prospects are few to non-existent.

MaRocks Laundry Services potential has been unlocked through these funds amounting to R222 316, 03 to acquire an additional container to expand operational space, four commercial washing machines, 2500 litre Jojo Tank, 7,5kva generator, two industrial steam irons, weighing scale, steam press machine, folding table, square table as well as office and administration equipment including a laptop, printer and front desk furniture.

We are now a fully-fledged, competent and competitive laundromat since acquiring the machinery and equipment from the NDA funding. Even during loadshedding, we can offer our services because as we have a generator, the consistency of water supply through the tanks also makes business continuity a breeze for us. Our production capacity has doubled, and we are making a profit whilst still maintaining income for the four members. Two additional people have been trained to assist when we have many big orders. We now offer a local delivery service which has allowed another job opportunity for another unemployed person, says Tsholofelo Moeng, one of the managing members.

The NDA is a national poverty eradication agency of government that seeks to support, financially and non-financially, youth and vulnerable groups that have operational community enterprises that demonstrate the ability to create additional jobs, contribute towards skills development and sustainable livelihoods. We saw it fit to offer this group of young people support to expand their existing operations they are centrally located within a business site offered by the Municipality in Tshing and have a unique offering as no one else is providing the service in that locality. Moreover, they have the business acumen that demonstrated growth and expansion. The NDA has assisted to close gaps that set the business back, including production capacity, constant power supply, water supplies and interruptions which were challenged in the past. This impact is what our new turnaround strategy seeks to achieve, says Mr Potlako Ntlatleng, NDA Provincial Manager in North-West.

Members of the media are invited to attend the handover ceremony as follows:

MEC Dantjie cheque handover at MaRocks Laundry Services West

Date:Thursday, 15 November 2024

Time:10h00 - 11h00

Venue:MaRocks Laundry Services

VTSD Containers, Diseko Street, Tshing Location Ventersdorp

The MEC will proceed to Boikutso Community Care Centre in Boikutso Village to launch Taking DSD to Communities programme.

Media can RSVP and direct media enquiries to Ms Lesego Ranchu on 073 547 2800/ email: lesegor@nda.org.za

ISSUED BY NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND BOKONEBOPHIRIMA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT