The City of Cape Town’s Health Department’s mobile vaccination van visited Freedom Park informal settlement and vaccinated more than 80 residents. Among those vaccinated, were those over the age of 18 who received their first jab.

The City’s informal settlements team noticed large numbers of unvaccinated people in this settlement who cited transport costs as the reason for not getting vaccinated. They decided to call in the help of the City’s health team to ensure that these residents have access to vaccinations.
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The City’s Health Department is also assisting people who are registered for their vaccination in other areas around the metropole.

In August 2021, the City’s Human Settlements department visited the Freedom Park informal settlement to check on the progress of the ongoing upgrade project in the area. The upgrade project will provide necessary upgrades and services to 159 families, such as sewer and water connections. The site will also have blacktop roads and storm water services. The project will provide serviced sites to the households and formal housing opportunities will be developed in the area in 2022, if all goes according to plan. This is in line with the City’s commitments to bringing greater formality to informal settlements and to improving the lives of the most vulnerable residents by providing basic services to the area.

 

‘We are pleased to see so many young people receive their vaccinations today and I thank our officials for identifying the need in this settlement and true to City form, making it happen. Our officials are in our communities day and night and I commend them for always wanting to go the extra mile, especially for our most vulnerable residents. The residents of Freedom Park have turned up in large numbers and we are happy to see the community support this initiative. Last month we visited the area to check on the progress of our housing upgrade project, which is on track. We thank the community for their support and patience,’ said Councillor Booi.

‘We are pleased to see the success and the turnout of this Covid-19 vaccination drive in Freedom Park. The City will continue to encourage people of all ages in our communities to register for the vaccine so that they can get the jab. It remains important that we all continue to play our part in abiding by the health and safety protocols. We must all continue to protect ourselves and others,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The City reminds everyone to wear their masks, even if they have been vaccinated, keep sanitising their hands and all high use surfaces, and to maintain social distancing at all times.​​

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