EASTERN and Southern Cape non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups yesterday said how they would like to see the new department of women, youth and children with disabilities working with them.

The department, led by minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, is one of the new cabinet portfolios announced by President Jacob Zuma.

Brian Bezuidenhout, executive director of Port Elizabeth‘s Association for Persons with Disabilities, said: “In the past we have been neglected as far as placement in the workplace and job- creation in government was concerned. Through this department we hope we will be able to enjoy the prominence and privileges we deserve.

“We feel that the more we get dedicated departments like this one, the better it would be for all of us. The privilege of having upfront representatives is welcome,” he said.

Lindsay Ziehl, a senior supervisor at Port Elizabeth‘s Yokhuselo Haven, which caters for woman and child survivors of abuse, said: “I want to see domestic violence made a serious crime. Sentences on abusers should be tougher. I want to see faster and more effective prosecutions.”

Ziehl said she would also like to see statistics made public each year on abused women and children. The department had to support such people “to get on their feet once they leave abusive situations”.

Dr Trudi Basson, head of Siyakhathala Care Centre in Korsten, hoped the department would be more involved in “social upliftment of the destitute”.

“They (authorities) must also bring in other departments such as education, to (fully) address the needs of the community such as paying school fees for the poor in the community,” she said.

Nonelel‘uluntu, an NGO taking care of about 260 vulnerable and poor children in New Brighton, also welcomed the department.

Projects manager Julia Galo said: “We‘re expecting great things from it.”

On the Garden Route, Working Women Association manager Leana Neethling felt the department was “great news”.

Michael Smith, manager of Sinethemba Youth Development Centre in Khayalethu, Knysna, said one of the challenges the centre faced was a lack of funds.

He said the department should make money more available, “and remove red tape when it is applied for”.