Joburg City Council Speaker Vasco Da Gama talks to elderly Alex residents about IDPs

The Speaker for the Joburg City Council Vasco Da Gama urged Alex’s elderly residents to contribute to the council’s integrated development plans (IDPs).

Da Gama was speaking at a Senior Citizen’s Participation and Empowerment Forum at a packed Eastbank Hall.

“The engagement is council’s gesture of accountability to all its citizens, an effort to show it cares about the elderly who often are marginalised and vulnerable, reaffirms and deepens its support to them and is to protect their rights and freedoms,” he said.

He added that the IDPs were a mechanism for all residents to give their input on the development planning process of the city. “Particularly the often excluded groups like the elderly who due to age and illnesses can’t attend ward committee meetings where plans are generated. The forum is to ensure we gather and integrate your needs, inputs, wise advice and guidance on the plans,” Da Gama said adding that residents shouldn’t be passive recipients of government services, surviving only on grants.

He said the City was aware of their challenges including safe water and power supply, health and safety, housing, food security, poverty and lack of dignity. “It’s the City’s responsibility to ensure your rights and dreams are realised, your retirement life is fairly comfortable, and your needs are taken care of to lessen your hardship as breadwinners who are forced to share limited grants with extended family members.”

He said their contributions would complement the City’s plans to provide them with more services in addition to shelter and food, social protection from abuse, bereavement support and being self-reliant through gardening and other related skills projects.

“My role is to ensure the attainment of the city’s vision on democratisation and service delivery, your access to service and an oversight on everyone’s participation in the City’s affairs.” He urged them to also approach their councillors, ward committees, the regional director and her staff with their concerns.

The regional director Liziwe Ntshinga Makoro urged the participants to utilise the opportunity to inform the IDPs. “Use the opportunity to also get information on other available services from the different departments including health related services like checking for high blood pressure and diabetes, advice on social development initiatives and projects supported by the City like gardening, arts and culture,” she said.

The participants’ needs included additional old age homes, their prioritisation on housing waiting lists and less overcrowding at health facilities.

Details: Region E City of Joburg 011 582 1400

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