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| City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun with a community member. |
By Priya Ranchod
Midrand organisations, businesses, community activists and councillors have joined hands to make a difference since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Many informal settlements and other residents were and are still in dire need of food, water and basic necessities to run their households on a daily basis.
Ward 132 Councillor Annette Deppe speaking to the Northern Times thanked all sponsors (business owners, non-profitable organisations, non-governmental organisations and community activists) that are standing together to make a difference whether it is to donate food parcels, or hot meals or basic necessities that the needy require or be of assistance to the less fortunate and elderly in collection of SASSA grant or during an emergency.
Cllr Deppe also thanked all security and police officials who assisted them in the hand-outs on each occasion and said: “This is not a political thing and I am working with everyone. This is a public health crisis and people are starving.”
She expressed her heartful gratitude to the Midrand Hindu Dharma Sabha (MHDS) chairperson Eshaul Krishnalall for joining her in handing out the parcels that MHDS sponsored for the community in the township. Monies raised for the food parcels by the organisation went to the destitute in need.
Deppe also thanked Nikki Wilson of Radical Waters for sponsoring 8 x 25L water weekly to the less fortunate and elderly.
“Radical Waters wanted to help the elderly and less fortunate who would not otherwise have had access to a sanitizer during Covid-19. We have made our own donations as well as channeled through the DA as they have many councilors that have greater reach and would be able to hand out within their different wards to those in dire need,” said Wilson, adding that they have been fortunate as they are essential workers to be in the right place at the ‘wrong time’ in a way, however, they are grateful to be able to continue with business as usual, to be able to keep their staff and, to help wherever we can.
She ended by saying: “We will continue to support the public and those in need for as long as required. When you interact in your communities or go out to the shops. Think of the elderly and immune compromised that are the most likely to be severely affected by this virus. Listen to the authorities, wear your masks, sanitize often, and do what you can, if you have the means, to help someone in your immediate circle that is in need.”
Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun visited Midrand recently to also be part of handing out food parcels, he said: “I am grateful spending my time facilitating food parcels and masks that were handed out to the residents of Kenana Park. It’s comforting to know that over 200 families will have food for the next few days.”
He thanked the Chinese Expats working in SA for the masks, World Hindu Foundation-SA and Cllr. Annette Deppe for the food parcels, SAPS Rabie Ridge and Infantry Security for keeping order, and our hard-working community leaders for making it possible.
Cllr Deppe also recently handed out 48 cooked meals in three wards (94,111,92) and thanked her sponsor from the Kyalami Business Park.
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| MHDS chairperson Eshaul Krishnalall with SPAR Vorna Valley manager, where they were given a discount to buy the food parcels for the destitute, & Cllr. Annette Deppe. |
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