Esda receives Nelson Mandela Day cheer
Last Monday, the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), honoured Nelson Mandela Day by dedicating their 67 minutes to the Esda Frail Care and Community Centre.
Dignitaries such as MMC of Community Safety Vivienne Chauke, HOD of Disaster and Emergency Management Services Moshema Mosia and head of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs Nhlakanipho Nkontwana participated.
The two government organisations focused on the theme ”Keeping our community warm”.
“We feel that it is important to engage with the elderly of our community, as a token of our love and appreciation for them,” says Emergency Services spokesman, William Ntladi.
“This is our way of showing respect and providing warmth to them from the bottom of our hearts.”
Blankets and food were issued to residents of the care centre, while issues surrounding disaster management for elderly people were discussed in the addresses by the invited dignitaries.
“Our responsibility as government is to ensure that we work with communities that we need to solve issues for,” said Nkontwana.
“We need to make sure that we interact with people and that we understand the dynamics of the challenges they face.
“We, as government, are here to accommodate the needs of the elderly and not the other way around.”
Nkontwana also highlighted some of the plans that the department has in terms of disaster management, particularly in relation to women, the youth, the disabled and the elderly.
“We have prioritised disaster risk reduction as a key component of this,” he said.
“We need to find ways to reduce risks as opposed to tackling issues at a level of disaster-status.”
Nkontwana elaborated that the municipal bylaws designate areas such as Esda in this process.
“We need to create awareness and let people know that we are committed to alleviating any challenges they could possibly face in instances of disaster,” he said.
“The Disaster Management Act has been amended to suit this.
“The most important thing about this day, however, is to be actively involved and doing the ground work, which is something we plan to continue doing.”
MMC of Community Safety Clr Vivienne Chauke, said such days should embody the spirit of the late Nelson Mandela and be ways of redressing some of the challenges facing society.
“We need to carry the spirit of uTata Mandela within us,” she added.
“We need to look ahead and build a brighter and more united South Africa.”
