Ahmed Kathrada Foundation director Neeshan Balton called on government to provide a clear policy directive on how it aims to coordinate food distribution efforts in partnership with aid organisations and grassroots initiatives such as Gauteng Together.  

Gauteng Together was established by over 60 Community Action Networks (CANs) across the province to address the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis by providing food and social support to those in need.

“Over the next few weeks, government’s stimulus package and the slight easing of lockdown restrictions will go some way towards kick-starting the economy. However, this will not be sufficient to solve all the problems as the needs far outweigh these measures,” said Balton.

He explained that while South African citizens may have access to the grant system, even increased grants over the next six months may not stave off hunger for those suddenly unemployed or who are unable to earn through the informal sector, saying poverty stricken foreign nationals who cannot apply for benefits are also being hard hit.

CANs had been set up at Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Fourways, Sandton, Observatory, Johannesburg Inner City, Moroka, Naledi, Lenasia, Ennerdale, Thokoza, Vosloorus, Stretford (Orange Farm) and Olievenhoutbosch.

The project was initiated by The Angel Network, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and CONECKT, and was supported by a range of organisations, individuals and local community volunteers.

Diricilla Naidoo, representing Gauteng Together, explained that most of the CANs have been established in Johannesburg, saying the initiatives’ plan over the next few weeks was to broaden the network to Sedibeng and the West Rand, which were the two poorest regions in the province, as well as to Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

Nhlanhla Lucky Nkosi, also from Gauteng Together, said that many of the CANs have hit the road running, adding that the Inner City CAN had mapped the needs of the area and already had a list of more than 2 000 people who required help.

“The Fourways CAN and several others have chosen to link up with NGOs, aid organisations and fellow CANs to assist. Neighbourhoods in Gallo Manor, Sandown and Wendywood have been mobilised to contribute towards grocery collection drives. The Diepsloot CAN has identified families in need of educational materials for children and reading lessons are being arranged via video,” said Nkosi. 

Nkosi said despite the progress, CANs were currently not able to meet all the needs of communities in the province as they were neighbourhood establishments that had limited capacity and resources.

He also urged more people in Gauteng to heed the call to activate CANs so that structures across a wider base of neighbourhoods could do their bit.