Dear Tata Madiba,
As you should know by now President Zuma delivered his State of the Nation Address last week. Most of the comrades accepted his address approvingly, while others, especially the DA, were definitely not impressed.
Tata, this is not the reason why I am writing you this letter; it is about the installation of solar heating panels to replace the current geysers. When news spread that the government will be spending billions of rands to install these solar panels for the poor, especially the pensioners at all the old age homes and the retirement villages, there were great relief and jubilation among the pensioners, because they will be having hot water 24 hours a day, and these solar panels will be installed mahala, free of charge. It also means that they will save about 50% on their electricity bills, this will afford them a little extra for some of the basic necessities.
Sadly it wasn’t to be, the solar panels were installed in the poorer section and all the retirement villages in the West of Joburg, but we in the South of Joburg were overlooked. Since last year we send numerous letters, emails and made phone calls asking to meet the relevant officials, such as City Power, Joburg Municipality and region F in Rosettenvile. We did not even receive any acknowledgement.
Tata, we find it so difficult to survive on our monthly government pension because of the ever increasing cost of living. As soon as the petrol goes up, the prices of almost everything escalates,
We can’t understand why we must pay the 14% VAT when buying electricity, the same applies to the medicine we buy. Last year the Municipality increased our rent by a whopping 60% for a single flat and 100% for a double flat; it is taking 25% from our pension. For what reason are they deducting so much from our pension when so much money is wasted on unnecessary things?
We have recently faxed a letter to the Minister of Finance, Mr Gordhan, appealing that he increase our pension by about 19%, which will bring the pension to R1500. Every year our pensions are increased by a mere 5% or 6%, while the cost of living is soaring.
Tata, we humbly beg you to use your influence and your powerful connections in the government to treat the elderly with dignity and respect and to alleviate the suffering and lighten the burden and the challenges they face daily.
We look forward to your favourable reply, from all the pensioners in the South of Joburg we say goodbye until we meet again,
Disregarded Pensioners
Reuven Complex
