Patensie residents link up with government

PHOTO: Nontobeka Bevu of the Department of Health and ward councillor Patrick Kota gear up for the outreach at the Ramaphosa Clubhouse.

Patensie residents link up with government

FROM substance abuse to business funding were on the programme when the Kouga Municipality visited Ramaphosa Village at Patensie this week (31 August).

Hosted by ward councillor Patrick Kota, the purpose of the outreach was to inform residents about support programmes available to them from various sectors of government.

“The aim was to show residents how we can work together to root out poverty-related social problems and strengthen our community economically,” he explained.

The line-up included social worker Zintle Mnyande from the Department of Social Development who outlined how they assist vulnerable children, the elderly and survivors of abuse.

Also on the programme was Constance Ngqele from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) who invited residents to make use of the business-support programmes offered by the agency.

Other departments in attendance were Home Affairs and Health, as well as the South African Police Services (SAPS). The South African Social Services Agency (SASSA), that works with grants, also gave an informative talk and responded to residents’ queries.

The municipality’s Social Services, Local Economic Development and Rural Development sections rounded off the programme.

Clr Kota said that he would be working closely with all sectors of government to help improve the lives of his constituents.

“We’re already busy establishing a soup kitchen and developing a park for Ramaphosa Village. Various other projects will also be coming to this area and we want to empower