On 27 August the DA’s Gauteng Caucus Leader, Jack Bloom, spent the second anniversary of his Jack in a Shack visits in Leratong Village informal settlement.
This was Bloom’s 24th overnight stay in an informal settlement. The visits are not merely a publicity stunt but actually an opportunity for Bloom to find out what residents’ service delivery problems are. Right at the outset at a public meeting he made it clear that it was neither a political meeting nor campaigning but that all residents – regardless of political affiliation – were welcome to discuss their problems with him.
Bloom was shocked that in a settlement with approximately 8 000 people and 2 000 shacks there were only six communal taps for the whole community to use. Bloom and a plumber from the community later went and bought taps, for which Bloom paid out of his own pocket.
A large crowd followed Bloom around while pointing out problems. The residents’ biggest needs were identified as housing, electricity and water, but other problems such as sewerage, sanitation and rubbish piling up were also pointed out to Bloom.
Bloom was planning to spend the evening eating and sleeping over at one of the families in the community.
