EAST LONDON – In celebration for Mandela Month,the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality(BCMM)focused on providing assistance to the elderly, who are among the most vulnerable members of society
in collaboration with the Buffalo City Metro Development Agency, the program led by Executive Mayor of BCMM Cllr Princess Faku, distributed blankets to over 200 elderly individuals across the 50 Metro wards.
Seniors of BCMM were very thankful for this act of kindness , with so much joy one of the beneficiary Mr Sodeyise Phikisa said, “This is the democracy that we fought for, today I have received a blanket and I am filled with joy and happiness to see the fruits of our struggle.”
The 2023 Nelson Mandela month marks a decade since his passing promoting inequality and taking care of the needy was part of his dream.
“I was so happy because I did not expect this , we are grateful as it is very cold,” expressed Mr Bulwana Baartman from Duncan Village.
This initiative is aligned with the Nelson Mandela month campaign theme of ‘It is in your hands’.
In addition Cllr. Faku said,”The Buffalo City Metro fully embraces this sentiment and is committed to working alongside all stakeholders, including the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development and civil society organisations, to ensure that our elderly citizens are well taken care of,”.
The Nelson Mandela movement also promotes the acknowledgment and resolution of the underlying factors causing poverty.
