The City of Joburg will distribute an additional 5 000 food parcels to poorer households of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg by the end of the week.
This comes after the Executive Mayor, Councillor Geoff Makhubo identified an urgent need for food relief in the underprivileged township on his recent visit.
Makhubo was in Alex to assess compliance measures to the country’s national lockdown, aimed at flattening the transmission curve of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I have already directed City departments and entities responsible for the distribution of food parcels to compile a report on the delivery and extension of services within Alexandra and other depressed communities across Johannesburg,” says Makhubo.
The City is working on a streamlined process of distributing food to vulnerable families across the metro, and will ensure every deserving household is duly served, says the Mayor.
Johannesburg has about 211 informal settlements, hostels and various poverty-stricken communities in desperate need of food relief. The Mayor has called for donations and assistance for these deprived communities, noting this should be done through the municipality. The City and its social partners have, to date, distributed over 10 000 food parcels in Alexandra.
During his visit to Alex, Cllr Makhubo stopped by a child-headed household with 20 children living in a two-bedroom home. The family was provided with food and the Mayor directed the department of Social Development to work with local councillors to assess the situation and give a full report on the kind of long term social support the family needs.
The Mayor also used the opportunity to visit the family of Collins Khoza to extend condolences on behalf of the City and government. Khoza died on Easter Friday after an alleged assault by members of the South African National Defence Force.
“We condemn entirely any acts of violence and violation of the rights of residents of the City. We also plead with and urge our people to comply with regulations of the lockdown, to respond responsibly to lawful instructions by law enforcement officers and avoid impeding the work of government during this period,” Cllr Makhubo explains.
Written by Takalani Sioga
