SEDIBENG. – Waste pickers (recyclers)are unable to work and so they cannot provide for their families during the lockdown period as they are not included on the essential services list.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental, Forestry and Fisheries, Makhotso Sotyu donated seventy food vouchers to the recyclers at the Vaal Park Recycling Centre (Garden- drop off) recently. Sotyu was joined by Free State MEC for Social Development, the Executive Mayor of Metsimaholo Local Municipality,Lindiwe Tshongwe and Fezile Dabi District Municipality officials.
Sotyu was joined by Free State MEC for Social Development, the Executive Mayor of Metsimaholo Local Municipality,Lindiwe Tshongwe and Fezile Dabi District Municipality officials.
The aim was to assist recyclers during the national lockdown as part of the governments’ intervention relief efforts. Also present was the South African Waste Packers Association officials. The association thanked the minister and her team for the contribution and said that the vouchers come at a good time as President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the lockdown with another two weeks.
Tshongwe appealed to the recycling community to honour and respect the Covid-19 regulations issued by the President.
“Let’s stop unnecessary roaming the streets. We must stay at home and pray together, God will hear from above and will answer our prayers.”
The recycler’s said that they were holding their thumbs for the President not to add another days.
“We have suffered too much since beginning of the lockdown. It is even worse when the days were extended until end of April.” they said.
