The Western Cape is currently facing severe weather conditions where thousands of people in the Greater Cape Town and the Boland have been left displaced after about 4000 structures have sustained several damages due to heavy rain, flooding, and wind.
Hon. Mr Ganief Hendricks, Deputy Minister of Social Development, conducted an oversight visit as part of Mandela month activity during the Cape of Storms; the respected Deputy Minister visited the MES Parow Centre of Hope in the City of Cape Town on Thursday, 11 July.
Under the Deputy Minister’s leadership, relief resources such as blankets, water, and groceries were provided on very short notice; this was with the assistance from the National Parliamentary Office of Hon. Ganief Hendricks and Hon. MP Advocate Shameemah Salie.
On top of these, donations from the private sector including Prestige builders gave meals and blankets. While Young farmer, Mogamat Sasman donated naartjies, Devlon from a supermarket grocery store provided hampers to cheer up the homeless from experiencing the severe storms devastating effects. For the homeless and others, many training rooms and halls were used to take in more people since the existing shelter spaces were flooded and damaged.
The centre provides a safe space for people living on the streets; they are given a place to sleep, and shelter for them; it, at least, shields them from the extreme weather conditions. At this venue, the Deputy Minister handed over blankets, water, and groceries; and via the partnerships with the private sector assists with the growing number of people who find themselves in a helpless situation.
