Gauteng government applauds Bekkersdal community for fixing their clinic
Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements Ntombi Mekgwe has applauded the community of Bekkersdal for fixing the clinic that was damaged during the service delivery protests in the area. The MEC also lashed out at those who were hoping to make financial gains out of the situation.
MEC Mekgwe said that government had always said that it cannot work alone as it was the government of the people. “People should not see government as a cash cow but part of them. Also it cannot be right for people to wait for the government when they can provide a solution to their problem,” said the MEC.
“The residents who participated in the fixing of the clinic have shown true leadership, patriotism and Ubuntu”, MEC Mekgwe said. In Bekkersdal alone, the costs of the damaged properties are estimated at R20 million. This include the destruction of the community hall, gymnasium, council offices, business hub, clinic, local business training centre, farmer support centre and the Multipurpose centre (MPCC).
Sello Rampaku, a resident who started the initiative said that he was touched by a radio programme which was talking about the destruction of public property and how the elderly and sick were affected by it.
“On Monday, I met with the clinic head to assess the damage and the main thing was the stolen electricity cables. The department of Health sent its electricians and Eskom has offered to help with the cables,” he said.
Rampaku said he was sponsored by Thabang Supper Market and his boss at the SAPS, Bekkersdal station commander Colonel Mputwane. Besides being helped by neighbours, Rampaku said he was also helped by the Kamohelong Home Based care, Zivuseni project and the Greater Westonaria Association of Youth Clubs (GWAYC).
“I feel proud that we fixed the clinic, when elderly people are happy I am also happy,” said Rampaku after completing the work.
He said that when the clinic was damaged he was sad because his elderly neighbours had to walk long distance to the other clinic at 5am and return late, sometimes without being treated since their files were on the damaged clinic.
Rampaku expressed disappointed that some community leaders were against his plan to fix the community. “I did not get a cent from this, I received donations for the broken stuff that had to be repaired,” he said.
He said that people accused him of branding himself as a super hero and he had received a visit from a person who accused him of taking away his tender opportunity because the clinic was fixed for free.
Keitumetse Sedumedi, of GWAYC said the club got involved in the cleaning because they serve the community daily.
“By helping we are making sure that the community receives their daily basic services from the government,” she said. Sedumedi said that GWAYC also had to close its offices where it operated its food shelter as they feared for their safety.
She said that they were proud to be part of the community that came together to fix the clinic.
Sedumedi urged the community not to destroy public properties when fighting as that was pulling the community back.
MEC Mekgwe reiterated her words of warning to communities to stop torching public facilities during protest actions as the replacement value of such facilities is escalating and making it difficult for government to rebuild immediately. The delays in rebuilding of such facilities could result in communities being seriously disadvantaged for many years to come.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
Tel: 011 355 4873
