LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTES VEGETABLE PACKS TO NEEDY HOUSEHOLDS

Coronavirus was unable to stop the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) from distributing vegetable packs to needy households in Ebony Park and Ivory Park. Every month the City of Johannesburg through it’s Expanded Social Package (ESP) distributes vegetable packs sourced from the Joburg Market to indigent households across the City’s regions.

Yesterday, the 2nd of April 2020, it was Ebony Park and Ivory Park’s turn. The initiative is done monthly to support unemployed and child headed households. These needy households are provided with vegetable packs which include potatoes, carrots, onions and other vegetables.

The veggies are distributed at the Ebony Park Revenue Centre (Paypoint) for KAE residents. However you need to be registered in the City’s ESP database to benefit. Current number of beneficiaries of the programme is at 27 000 according to the MMC for Health and Social Development, Eunice Mgcina.

Mgcina who is from Rabie Ridge told KAE News that the City hasn’t stopped critical service like the ESP. Furthermore, the clinics remain open and refuse is collected amid the coronavirus pandemic. The MMC pleaded with residents to stay home during the nationwide lockdown.

Greater Ivory Park which consists of Ivory Park, Kaalfontein, Rabie Ridge, Mayibuye and Ebony Park has been identified as one of the most problematic areas where residents are not adhering to the lockdown regulations.

“Our people in Greater Ivory Park must please stay at home as advised by the President. Please work together with government in efforts to contain covid-19. It can’t be business as usual that kids are playing in the streets and taxi ranks are full of people. Let’s stay at home. We can fight the coronavirus if we work together.” Mgcina said.