Covid-19: Gauteng Together celebrates the establishment of 60 Community Action Networks
Diricilla Naidoo of Gauteng Together said the response of ordinary people has been overwhelming.
Gauteng Together is pleased to announce that 60 Community Action Networks (Cans) have been established across the province to address the Covid-19 crisis.
Cans seek to provide food and social support to people in need.
So far, Cans have been established in Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Fourways, Sandton, Observatory, Johannesburg Inner City, Moroka, Naledi, Lenasia and a number of other areas.
The initiative was launched by Gauteng Together and Premier David Makhura three weeks ago to mobilise communities to self-activate and address the negative social impact of the pandemic.
Diricilla Naidoo of Gauteng Together said the response of ordinary people has been overwhelming.
“It is a good indicator that communities see the value in setting up sustainable networks to deal with food insecurity and the impact of the virus,” said Naidoo.
“Most of the Cans have been established in Johannesburg. Our plan over next few weeks is to broaden the network to Sedibeng and the West Rand, which are the two poorest regions in the province, as well as to Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.”
Catch our committee member Driscilla Naidoo on @Lotusfm today at 1pm where she gives insight on the work done so far.
To date, 60 CANs have been set up in Gauteng; we applaud each one of you!#yeswecan #GautengTogether #socialsolidarity #COVID19inSA pic.twitter.com/xtNvv9CwxK
— Gauteng Together (@GautengTogether) May 8, 2020
Nhlanhla Lucy Nkosi, also from Gauteng Together, said many Cans have hit the road running, with the Inner City Can mapping needs in the area and creating a list of over 2 000 people in need of help.
Nkosi said, “The Fourways Can and several others have chosen to link up with NGOs, aid organisations and fellow Cans to assist. Neighbourhoods in Gallo Manor, Sandown and Wendywood have been mobilised to contribute towards grocery collection drives.”
Nkosi said that despite progress, Cans are currently unable to meet all the needs of the communities in the province as they are neighbourhood establishments with limited capacity and resources.
Neeshan Balton of Gauteng Together commended the public for their establishment of over 60 Cans in such a short space of time but said that the real work starts now.
“Over the next few weeks, government’s stimulus package and the slight easing of lockdown restrictions will go some way towards kick-starting the economy. However, this will not be sufficient to solve all the problems as the needs far outweigh these measures,” said Balton.
He also drew attention to the plight of foreign nationals who cannot apply for the benefits and will be hard hit at this time. Balton also said that grants may not stove off hunger for those suddenly unemployed or unable to earn money through the informal sector.
He called on government to provide a clear policy directive on how it aims to co-ordinate food distribution in partnership with aid organisations and grassroots initiatives including Gauteng Together.
Those interested in setting up a Can or volunteering in an existing Can are encouraged to visit www.gautengtogether.org and register.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/349515/join-fourways-can-and-feed-the-hungry/
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