Ngwathe Local Municipality mayor, Joey Mochela, has set aside funds to alleviate the suffering of poor families in the major towns falling under the jurisdiction of the municipality.

More than 1500 child headed and single parent families from Heilbron, Edenville, Vredefort and Parys has benefited from the programme.

Mochela said the project was inspired by both Premier Ace Magashule and President Jacob Zuma during their state of the province and nation addresses respectively when they urged the nation to join government in the fight against poverty.

“We have declared 2013 as the year of improved service delivery to our citizens and introduced ‘Mayoral Poverty Alleviation’ project aimed at improving the lives of humble families in Ngwathe Local Municipality,” said Mochela.

Beneficiaries have received blankets, clothes and toiletries.Mochela said the municipality is working together with the private sector to make the project a success.

The purpose of the programme is to mobilise business sector, professionals and community members to donate in good faith to assist those who are less privileged.  Donations can take the form of food groceries, clothing and toiletries. However, other donations in the form of beds, blankets, wheelchairs, etc. are also accepted in good faith.

“So far, we have worked with various structures, NGO’s and councillors to identify needy families. Lehlohonolo Day Care Centre in Tumahole, housing more than 60 orphans, was identified and adopted as part of the project,” added Mochela.

About 600 primary and secondary school learners have also benefited from the project.

“We have also donated new school uniforms to more than 600 learners throughout Ngwathe Local Municipality with both secondary and primary schools as beneficiaries. 1500Families received groceries so far. In partnership with Delta Community Centre, we have launched food gardens.

“We are also launching clothing, food and toiletry banks. We have placed containers at different municipal buildings throughout the Ngwathe Local Municipality. This is to allow anyone to donate in good faith so that more families can benefit from this long term project.”

Project coordinator, Steve Naale, said over R150 000 has been spent so far to buy all the items that have been donated to the poor families.  Naale has called for more donations to the project to ensure it covers more needy families. He said the aim is to assist poor families living in farms.

“This project is on-going and we request prospective donors to contact the coordinator, we plan to take it to farms. We are going to raise more funds using all the partners and interested parties so we can double the number of people we have helped this year. As part of the mayoral projects, she is in talks with companies like De Beers so to contribute and expand the programme. Remember, we are doing it for the less privileged members of our own society,” said Naale.

Anyone who would like to donate or inquire about the Ngwathe Mayoral Project can contact Naale on (056) 816 2769 or 071 680 4700.