The Westonaria Local Municipality has announced that applications for the indigent subsidy are open.
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri) defines indigent subsidies as a system that operates at a local government level, relating to the provision of benefits in respect of basic services including water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal.
According to Westonaria Local Municipality Executive Mayor Nonkoliso Tundzi, the purpose of this project is to ensure that irrespective of one’s unfortunate background, he or she can get basic services for free. Residents who are in need of assistance from the Westonaria Local Municipality are urged to register.
“Those who have a household income of less than R2 500 per month and are in need of the municipality’s help can apply for the subsidy. They will get 6 000 kilolitres of free water per month and 50 kilowatts of electricity per month.
“In addition to this, they will have an access to reliable toilet services as well as waste removal facilities among other facilities,” says Tundzi.
Registration can be done at the Westonaria municipal offices. The herald spoke to one of the beneficiaries of the subsidy, Nosandile Magushane (54) who says that her indigent subsidy does in actual fact make a difference.
“I’m really glad that the municipality decided to step in and assist those of us who struggle to pay for our basic services. This goes a long way in empowering us because I only can afford to put food on the table and that’s just about it,” says Magushane.
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