160 vulnerable Tshwane residents kept warm in cold times
“I have written to MEC of Social Development in terms of requesting assistance when it comes to servicing the homeless in Tshwane. Homelessness needs the intervention of National & Provincial Government, we as Local Government cannot solve it alone.”
Three facilities that provide shelter to the homeless as part of the Tshwane metro’s social relief package, received a share of 160 blankets.
Shelters that received the donations for the homeless men, women and children, were the Homeless Upliftment Centre, NG Kerk Arcadia and Bethesda Ladies Arise.
Community social development services MMC Thabisile Vilakazi said the donation was Tshwane’s effort to assist homeless people during the cold winter months.
She said the metro was on a drive, through the department of community and social development services to assist homeless people during the cold winter months ahead.
“Homeless people are some of the most vulnerable in our society. They face multiple challenges including the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is thus important that we do no leave the homeless behind from our social relief programmes,” said Vilakazi.
She said the blankets donation drive was in line with the metro’s service delivery plans which aimed to put emphasis on supporting the vulnerable and providing social relief.
“One of the main challenges is the lack of shelters that focus on homeless women and children.
“The work of assisting the homeless can never be enough, especially if the provincial government does not come to the table.”
Vilakazi said she was in communication with the Tshwane MMC for human settlements to try and incorporate the homeless community within the social housing projects that were being built by the department of human settlements.
“I have written to the social development MEC to request assistance when it comes to servicing the homeless in Tshwane. Homelessness needs the intervention of national and provincial governments. We as local government cannot solve it alone.”
Vilakazi encouraged the public to also assist in blanket donations for the vulnerable at various homeless shelters.
“We certainly want to encourage more people to do the same, which is why I have called on the public to also assist by donating a blanket to the homeless.”
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