Thousands of people attended the South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) at the Colorado Park community hall on Friday November 10.
At the outreach programme, Mitchell’s Plain and Samora Machel residents were able to register and apply for Sassa grants, such as child support grants, disability, social relief grants and grants-in-aid.
Otherserviceorganisations present at the event were SAPS, and the departments of Health, Home Affairs and Social Development. And representing the community, was the Mitchell’s Plain United Residents’ Association (MURA).
With the various stakeholders present, residents could apply for their temporary IDs and certificates. The police were there to assist people with affidavits, the health department for blood testing and the Department of Social Development for enquiries about foster care.
Sithembiso Mzobe, councillor for Ward 33, said 40% of Samora Machel residents were unemployed.
“People are finding it hard to make ends meet in Samora Machel – which is overpopulated.
“We have encouraged people to attend the event, and enquire about and apply for Sassa grants to assist them financially.
“The Sassa grant is there to support residents who really need the assistance and to reduce the levels of poverty,” he said.
Shivani Wahab, senior manager and spokesperson for Sassa Western Cape, said the aim of the event was to reach out to the poverty stricken areas such as Samora Machel, Isiqualo, Kosovo and Heinz Park.
“It was an integrated event where clients could access not only Sassa services but also other government departments. Sassa identified a need for services in this area. Due to the high influx at our local office and service points, the ICROP was arranged to ensure that members of the public have access to our services,” she said.
Elize Daniels, from Heinz Park, said she applied for food parcels at the event on Friday.
“It is great that Sassa came out to the people. Not everyone can go to the office and do the relevant applications. I am a single parent who is unemployed and in need of the grant to support my child with the relevant needs. With the money, I make sure that we pay our rent, have food in our tummies and that the child, most importantly, is clothed,” she said.
Lentegeur pensioner Christine Cloete said she received a grant but it was not enough to get through the month.
“It is difficult for us to get through the month with the grant because we have to pay the water, electricity, food and the house. So, I do hope that government considers increasing the rate of the monies we receive,” she said.