Two presentations were made to councillors at the council meeting held last Wednesday. Mrs NCB Ngcobo from the Department of Social Development delivered the first presentation. The presentation was based on the Community Development Nutrition Centre (CDNC).
A document was circulated briefly explaining that these community restaurants were designed to provide needy citizens with both a nutritious meal and encourage local economic empowerment. The programme will rid community members residing in remote areas from poverty and malnutrition. The war room and community caregivers have identified eligible beneficiaries. Councillors and the municipality have been tasked with assisting the programme.
“The Department of Social Development was mandated to provide food security which is implemented by the department through these CNDC’s, ” said Mrs Ngcobo. Councillors agreed it was a great idea and that such a programme is significant amongst the community. The second presentation was from the Seriti Institution explaining the next step to be taken by the Community Work Programme (CWP) with both a visual and verbal presentation.
The CWP is a strategy that provides a basic level of income security through community work. The programme was started to address poverty and unemployment. “The Community Work Programme (CWP) is a South African government programme that provides an employment safety net.” The work done must improve the area and the quality of life for the people living there.
This includes fixing community assets like schools, roads and setting up food gardens. It was encouraged that the communities are to decide on the kind of work needed, and what is most urgent. This could be looking after orphans and vulnerable children, helping sick people, assisting teachers at schools, looking after children while their parents are at work, or working with the local police to improve safety and reduce crime.
Thereafter a short summery of progress was delivered. Councillors were given the chance to comment and took the opportunity to voice their concerns of the current situation that the current CWP teams have raised.
