Food Resilience Unit distributed food parcels to Kya Sand residents
Councillor Devon Steenkamp said that he is aiming to have the Department of Human Settlements visit the community and assist with proof of residence and any other matters
The Food Resilience Unit delivered 10kg vegetable parcels to Kya Sand blocks C and B residents as promised.
The parcels were given to residents who registered during the city’s outreach campaign held in Kya Sand blocks B and C early in April.
Manager of Urban Agriculture at the City of Johannesburg Rodney Mudzuli stated that many people registered and the initiative reached a large number of families.
“The total distributed for the whole ward is 631 – Kya Sand received 328 and 324 went to Msawawa.”
Mudzuli added that they have advised those that were not registered to go through the means test. “The first registration was an awareness and all beneficiaries were made aware that they need to go through the means test to benefit beyond three months.”
Means test is a poverty or indigent verification process where they determine whether residents qualify for assistance or not.
For residents to access Free Basic Services (FBS), they need to register for the city’s Expanded Social Package (ESP).
The requirements are:
- South African citizens
- Must reside within the City of Johannesburg
- Be unemployed or have a monthly income not exceeding R6 281 per month.
Documents required are:
- Identity Document
- Proof of income, Sassa card, three months’ bank statement or a sworn affidavit confirming that you do not have a bank account and no sources of income
- Proof of residence.
The nearest office to register for ESP is Cosmo City Multipurpose Centre. They can also register at Randburg Civic Centre.
Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp said that things went well in an orderly manner, the community was very grateful. There were a few members of the community that had missed out on the registration time. Parcels that were collected were donated and shared among other community members.
“I will be pushing for the city to schedule another round for the Food Resilience Unit and the economic development opportunity bus to run with more programmes to visit the area,” added Steenkamp.
Resident Themba Ncube said that there are families in the community that go to bed hungry almost every night and these parcels will assist them in a big way. “I feel happy because at this moment my children will have food. I have three kids and their mom passed during Covid. This package will really make a difference; I am grateful.”
Steenkamp thanks his ward committee members, as well as other community leaders he works with, for their assistance in organising and communicating the programmes.
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