The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini today calls on the Head of the Community Participation and Action Support Unit, Vincent Cebekhulu to immediately resume the municipal Soup Kitchens Program.
The DA is aware of a temporary closure of the multimillion-rands eThekwini Soup Kitchens, leaving hungry residents with nowhere to turn.
The soup kitchen program is part of the poverty alleviation initiative that aims to meet the nutritional needs of disadvantaged citizens who cannot afford a hot meal, but with the kitchens closed these people are left to starve.
According to one of the residents who work at one of the soup kitchens, they have not received any food to cook since last week.
As a result, they now have to turn people away.
Some which are on chronic medication and rely on the programme.
During a recent oversight inspection in Clermont, we learnt the following:
- Meal preparation equipment is in short supply therefore they use old equipment,
- The space they use is not big enough and is unsafe, and
- The programme beneficiaries do not have proper shelter they can use during rainy days.
While these types of social services can be costly, they play an important role in maintaining society’s most vulnerable members from severe poverty.
The timing of this shutdown is extremely cruel and demonstrates a city leadership that is uncaring.
While many people are celebrating the holiday season with their loved ones, our city’s most vulnerable residents are deprived at least one meal a day. This shutdown is inhumane.
It is absolutely unacceptable for our communities to suffer as a result of the incompetence of those in positions of authority.
The DA will continue to constantly monitor the situation and fight for our communities to receive the best possible service from the city.