A number of wards across the various subcouncils have hosted Capacity Building Workshops that were tailor-made especially for one of our most vulnerable group of residents.

Residents were taught how to apply for indigent grants and update their details on the housing database where necessary. In addition, at some of the sessions residents were able to have their health checks done, such as blood pressure testing, among other vital checks. The City’s proposed social package of more than R2,9 billion to assist vulnerable households to relieve some of the financial burden that they may experience, was also presented to the seniors.

‘The objective of the Capacity Building Workshops was to empower our vulnerable residents with relevant information on what’s available to them as part of the City’s helping hand as a caring city. Additionally, it was an opportunity for the seniors to mingle and socialise with their peers. In many instances our senior citizens are care-givers and do not have much opportunity to interact with each other within their age group,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

Collectively, an amount of just under R2 million was spent on capacitating senior residents across communities.

‘In the bigger scheme of things this is money well spent as many seniors were not aware of the help available to them,’ said Alderman Twigg.

The 24 Subcouncils located across the four geographical areas of the city (north, south, east and central) each receive a ward allocation budget every year. The purpose of this budget allocation is to deliver on local projects within wards that have a positive impact on the lives of residents within that specific area.

‘Our subcouncils and wards are at the heart of communities. They are well placed to identify what the needs and priorities are at the coal-face of communities. At the beginning of April, I was pleased to note that all areas had spent over 60% of their allocated budget,’ said Alderman Twigg.

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