Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet will on Thursday, 21 July 2011 visit Bhongweni location in Cookhouse to deliver a variety of services to the community. Kiviet’s decision to visit follows a door to door campaign conducted by the Health Department which revealed a grim picture about the living conditions of people in Cookhouse.
“I have learnt that people live in unacceptable conditions there. They are in dire need of virtually everything from food, kitchen utensils, blankets and even houses. I am going there with a number of government departments to intervene,” said Kiviet. Fifty two families will get newly built two roomed temporary houses which they will use until permanent houses are built for them.
The door to door campaign by Heath Department revealed amongst other things that the people in the community:
- Live in poor housing which exposes them to colds and rain
- Live in poverty with child headed families
- Are unemployed and there is high rate of teenage pregnancy
- Have no access to child grant due to unavailability of birth certificate.
Premier Kiviet will be accompanied by the MEC for Health Sicelo Gqobana. They will bring with them services from the Departments of Human Settlements, Social Development, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Home Affairs, Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Health.
Details of the event are as follows:
Venue: Bongweni Location, Cookhouse
Date: 21 July 2011
Time: 08h00
Enquiries:
Sipho Lunyawo
Cell: 082 550 6264
