Social Development
(1) Whether any event was held in Mitchells Plain to inform the community about saving water; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether early childhood development centres (ECD centres), youth cafés and other facilities are contributing to saving water in Mitchells Plain; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) in the event of Day Zero, how will his Department assist the elderly, the disabled, the children at ECD centres and anyone who might not be able to access water at the proposed water points in Mitchells Plain;
(4) in the event of Day Zero, what further role will his Department play in assisting the residents of Mitchells Plain?
[1] As part of efforts to raise awareness among elderly residents, the Western Cape Social Development MEC, Albert Fritz, led a group of 60 elderly residents and managers of residential facilities [Old Age Homes] to the drought depleted Theewaterskloof Dam. The elderly residents on the visit were a mix of pensioners from various social and sports clubs for the elderly across the Cape Town Metro, and those who reside within our funded and registered residential facilities, which are run by NGOs.
[2] DSD Youth café in Mitchells Plain is occupying a building owed by the City of Cape Town and is adhering to all the water saving measures implemented by the City.
[3] The Department of Social Development has offered to assist its funded residential facilities with funding for boreholes should these be required. DSD has also received confirmation from the City of Cape Town that it has a strategy for ensuring water delivery for vulnerable individuals in communities with the assistance of volunteer and disaster relief organisations.
[4] The Department of social development is working alongside other government departments at the provincial disaster management centre in planning for other related humanitarian relief that might be required during Day Zero.
