Christmas came early for the impoverished residents of Ixopo
There were smiles and jubilation on the faces of elderly women when KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza, showered them with Christmas gifts.
Adhering to Covid-19 regulations, the Department hosted Khumbulekhaya Outreach programme, where the MEC was able to hand over vouchers of Social Relief of Distress to identified poor people.
People were coming from 14 Wards of Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality and were handed food vouchers to the tune of R1 350 each. The vouchers allow the recipients to purchase full groceries from Boxer Supermarkets across the province.
MEC Khoza said the Department has decided to move away from purchasing groceries for the needy people. She said it was imperative for government to give needy people vouchers so they could choose what type of good to buy.
"These vouchers are strictly for food not alcohol. We have an arrangement with the supermarket thst alcohol purchases will be strictly prohibited," she said.
MEC Khoza further cited that government has taken the initiative to respond to the need of the people and also ensure that no person sleeps on an empty stomach.
"These families are going to have a joyful Christmas," she said.
The MEC also wished people a joyous festive season and a safe christmas free from incidents of gender-based violence.
"We want all of you to be champions of change as we fight the scourge of GBV across our province. Let us ensure that we spread love and fight against GBV in our respective areas. We must also protect ourselves from Covid-19 by adhering to all regulations set by health fundis and our government."
Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality Mayor, councillor Ngubo, appluaded the Department and the MEC for always remembering the poor people across the province.
"We know that some other people were not going to have a good christmas as a result of Covid-19. We have a lot of people who have no income today. Those who had work lost their livelihoods due to the outbreak of Covid-19. As government we will continue to provide support to the people until their situation gets better."
MEC Khoza further visited Bhede child-headed family members who reside at Fairview informal settlement and handed different gifts, including a grocery voucher.
"The living conditions of these Bhede children is unbearable and requires more intervention. We have left our social workers to help them. There is also a disabled child who has to get all grants provided by our government. Therefore, our team will handle all these children's needs. We will further take their matter to the MEC for Human Settlement to see what best we can do for these children. The house they are living in is also not in a good state."
"We are happy that we touched their hearts and our arrival to their home will heal them. They are not going to feel that they don't have parents since they will have a normal Christmas like everyone else."
