A hungry stomach knows no party membership card, says IFP
ALEXANDRA - Gauteng's Social Development MEC, Faith Mazibuko descended on three Alex hostels dangling goodies for the less fortunate residents.
Gauteng Social Development MEC, Faith Mazibuko, descended on three Alex hostels bearing goodies for the less fortunate residents.
She was accompanied by Inkatha Freedom Party Member of the Provincial Legislature, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, who applauded the MEC for being the first government official to ever set foot inside the Inkatha-controlled hostels of KwaNobuhle, KwaMadala and Helen Joseph.
“We’re happy to bring services and food parcels to qualifying residents of the hostels under the Social Relief in Distress programme of the Gauteng government, which seeks to offer temporary relief to those in need before they can access government’s social grants,” Mazibuko said.
Briefing the media after her visit, Mazibuko said her visit was an eye-opener in that she had witnessed, firsthand, the disturbing conditions of abject poverty and suffering, especially among some of the disabled residents of the hostels.
In some of the cases, the government has intervened by offering alternative accommodation and medical care, while in other instances affected families were offered temporary relief in the form of food parcels.
Mazibuko said she was outraged by the filthy and dilapidated state of the hostels, where water pipes were in a state of disrepair with continuously running water, and the many illegal electricity connections.
“I have instructed the ward councillor to see to it that hostels are cleaned, leaking taps are fixed and the illegal electricity connections are sorted out and that electricity is legally provided to the residents,” she said.
Addressing the residents of KwaNobuhle Hostel, Dhlamini said he was aware that some people would say he had brought Congolosi (African National Congress) to the hostel. “I am sure you’re all aware that a hungry stomach knows no membership card nor does poverty. All I have done is bring you relief while you wait your turn to access government grants, like everybody else,” Dhlamini said.
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