Bekkersdal residents fix their mess

Residents of Bekkersdal seem to have had a change of heart and decided to help fix the badly damaged clinic that was destroyed during the string of violent protest actions that rocked the township late last year.

This was on 20 February at the Bekkersdal East Clinic.

The Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Ntombi Mekgwe applauded the community for their efforts in fixing the clinic and says that this is a sign of leadership, patriotism and Ubuntu.

“Government always says that it cannot work alone as it is the government of the people.

“The residents who participated in fixing the clinic have shown true leadership, patriotism and Ubuntu and we recognise that.

“People should not see government as a cash cow but as part of them,” says Mekgwe.

Meanwhile she also lashed out at those who were hoping to make financial gains out of the situation by wanting to secure tenders to that effect.

Damage incurred to buildings and government property in Bekkersdal during the violent protests are estimated at R20 million.

This includes the destruction of the community hall, gymnasium, council offices, business hub, clinic, local business training centre, farmer support centre and the multipurpose centre (MPCC).

According to a resident who initiated the project, Sello Rampaku, he was touched by a radio programme that was about the destruction of public property and how the elderly and sick were affected by it.

“After having this eye-opening encounter I decided to meet with the clinic management to assess the damage and the main issue was the stolen electricity cables.

“Fortunately, the Department of Health sent its electricians to attend to this and Eskom also offered to help where necessary,” says Rampaku.

He adds that the project was sponsored by local businesses Thabang Super Market, Kamohelong Home Based Care, Zivuseni Project and the Greater Westonaria Association of Youth Clubs (GWAYC) as well as the Bekkersdal SAPS Station Commander Colonel Baba Mputwane.

“I feel proud that we fixed the clinic.

“This goes to show that as a community we can do more to build our township,” says Rampake.