Ongoing support since the devastation has included food parcels, blankets, daily meals, and psychosocial support to affected families.
MINING houses in the Tsantsabane area have committed to provide storm relief and repair damaged property after 70 families were left homeless following heavy rains and strong winds on April 23.
In a statement issued by Government Communication Information Systems on behalf of Tsantsabane Municipality it was indicated that several meetings were held with sector departments and stakeholders to plan and implement joint intervention programmes to assist affected families and provide relief following the devastation.
“Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) will assist with the renovation of affected houses and schools.
“The contribution and support will be administered by SIOCcdt, and the trust will be responsible for all procurement and reparation work, based on the technical assessment report of the municipality. SIOC-CDT, committed to ensure the local procurement of goods and services to also benefit the local economy. Glossom Manganese Mine, committed to assist with the repairing of internal roads in Maremane and Stasie townships. Kolomela Mine committed funding that will be for the relief and rebuilding initiative. Aqua Power contributed 30 food parcels and 79 blankets that have already been distributed to affected families.”
The report stated that Love Life would provide a total of 30 school uniform vouchers to learners from Newton, Postdene and Boichoko.
“The South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) will be paying special relief grants of R1,980 to each qualifying household while the Department of Social Development is finalising the paperwork needed to distribute these special grants to affected families. The ongoing support since the devastation has included food parcels, blankets, daily meals, and psychosocial support to affected families. The Postmasburg showgrounds is also equipped to serve as a temporary shelter for affected families that might need shelter, whilst the rebuilding process is under way.”
The mayor of the Tsantsabane Local Municipality, Councillor Helena English, thanked all role-players for the support that they have provided since the devastation.
“We stand ready as government, to lead the recovery process for affected families and will continue to mobilise as much resources internally from government and its agencies and from external social partners to ensure that we help our people to rebuild their lives.’’
She thanked all stakeholders who had worked with the municipality through the Tsantsabane Stakeholder Forum, to assist the affected families.
“Councillor English, committed that all contributions that are facilitated by her office will be used for the sole purpose of rebuilding and reconstructing damaged infrastructure caused directly by the storms.”
