Durban — The eThekwini Municipality recently awarded senior citizens R500 food vouchers for the festive season – as part of their Food Relief Programme for 2022.
The programme aimed at providing relief for the poor elderly in all eThekwini wards. To receive the voucher, an applicant must be 60 years and older.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said ward councillors were allocated 500 food vouchers to issue to senior citizens from their respective wards. He added that the programme was meant for poor senior citizens.
“As per the speaker’s circular issued to ward councillors, they need to issue the said vouchers working with ward committees. They need to ensure that all beneficiaries sign the beneficiary register that was also given to them, upon collection.
“In terms of allocation, ward councillors employ their discretion based on the different areas in the ward. They also need to account for allocation of all 500 food vouchers,” said Mayisela.
Ward 110 councillor Aamir Abdul said: “This is a city initiative and will reoccur in future provided the city makes accommodations to include ward 110. Other initiatives similar to this will depend on the generosity of private donors,” said Abdul.
Ward 33 councillor Sakhile Mngadi said his ward was allocated 500 vouchers valued at R500 and confirmed that they had received them and were in the distribution process.
Mngadi said: “These vouchers are for the senior citizens and were given because the city could not organise the annual senior citizens Christmas party on time. The applicants must be a resident of that ward and over the age of 60 to qualify for a voucher.”
He added that the vouchers will be distributed in five streams.
The first would be distributed from him directly.
The second would be from PR councillors distributing a portion.
The third would be from the ward committee members.
The fourth will be through old-age homes and caregiver facilities; and the fifth stream is through Sassa applications as those people would get preference.
Mngadi said vouchers were based on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“This depends on funding and donations, but there have been programmes like these run by NGOs in the past and as councillor, I am constantly looking to collaborate with organisations to improve the quality of life of my residents in ward 33,” said Mngadi.
Daily News