DPWI furniture donation to community based organisations to assist organisations in the valuable work they do in our communities - Statement by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille
Over the past few weeks, together with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s (DPWI) Cape Town Regional office, I have been handing over unused furniture to NGO’s across the Western Cape.
The furniture has been stored in the DPWI regional office storage for many years not being used as they were previously used at houses in the parliamentary villages and ministerial homes in Cape Town.
I requested the department to get the furniture ready to be donated to community based organisations who have many needs and who would make good use of the furniture that was no longer being used.
Items such as beds, stoves, chairs, fridges, couches, desks, book shelves, chest of drawers, washing machines, curtains, tables, lamps and pedestals were handed over to a total of 25 organisations.
These organisations are spread across the Western Cape from areas such as Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Bredasdorp, Uniondale, Pacaltsdorp, Phillipi, Ceres, Worcester, Elsies River, George, Mossel Bay, Bishop Lavis and Vredenburg.
A total of 454 items were handed over to the 25 organisations.
One of the first centres where we handed over furniture was the Nonceba Family & Council Centre in Khayelitsha who takes care of abused women and children.
At the furniture handover we heard devastating stories of the women and children at the shelter and the important work that the centre does to care for the victims. The carers at the centre were grateful for the furniture donation and said it would be a great help.
There are hundreds of organisations across the country doing good work to care for abused women and children and we must do more to support and help them with this work.
While the period of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is over, we must continue to advocate and act against GBVF and support structures and organisations who are taking in and taking care of victims.
Everything we do to help victims can potentially save their lives.
On behalf of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, I wish to thank all NGOs and community based organisations for the work they do in this space to care for our women and children.
They are our community heroes and we salute them for their sacrifices and important work that they do.
It is my hope that all the furniture items will be of good use to them and assist them in their operations at the various centres across the Western Cape.
During the Festive period there is an increase in crime especially GBVF and domestic violence cases and I appeal to all communities to be defenders of victims, speak out and act out against abuse and report those perpetrators who are abusing our women and children.
Let us turn the tide against this scourge and make this a safe festive season for our women and children.
Enquiries:
Zara Nicholson
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Patricia de Lille
Cell: 079 416 5996
Email: zara.nicholson@dpw.gov.za
