By Tabisa Mntengwana
17 December 2008

IN his first public appearance, newly elected Executive Mayor Sakhumzi Caga spent the day visiting elderly people and sick children.

Caga brought smiles and happy moments to senior citizens at the Moses Twebe Community Hall in Dimbaza on Sunday, 14 December. The aged came in numbers, ferried to the hall in municipal minibuses.

"This day is highly significant for me in that today I am delivering my first public address as executive mayor, and my very first audience is made up of senior citizens of Buffalo City," said Caga. "To me this is a blessing and one that I will cherish for the rest of my term in office."

The day was held to bring smiles to vulnerable and needy members of society, with an emphasis on hope and goodwill, seen in the handing out of food parcels to the senior citizens.

Caga said that the day brought to the fore stories of senior citizens who were abused and killed for their pension money. "These kinds of incidents get me emotionally disturbed when I get reports of elderly people being abused by society and their own children."

The 500-strong audience of elderly people was entertained by Retsi Pule's Jazz Band and Urban Connection jazz band.

Executive Mayor Sakhumzi Caga brings a smile to Maphondo Zide Nomela

Maphondo Zide Nomela, 72, thanked the mayor. "We are indeed grateful for this day. Now we will not worry about groceries for our grandchildren."

Echoing these words, Evelyn Olsen from Quigney said that her grandchildren would have healthy food and she would save her December pension for school uniforms for them in 2009.

Caga also advised the audience to make use of the municipal indigent subsidy for elderly people. "I was surprised that some of our elderly people are not aware of this benefit. Today I urge all of you to go and apply at our offices."

This subsidy was set up to help senior citizens get enough water, basic sanitation, refuse removal, health care, and housing.

To qualify for this subsidy, one needs to be the legal owner of the house in which he or she lives. Applicants need to submit valid identity documents of husband and wife, if married; complete the Indigent Household application form; submit proof of income or affidavits confirming unemployment, casual work, state pension and other social grants; and submit a letter from a ward councillor.

The Christmas spirit carried on with visits to two pediatric units, at Cecilia Makhiwane and Grey hospitals.

Caga handed out toys and goody packs to the sick children. "We should be rejoicing together at this time of the year because Christmas is a time of sharing and giving," he said.

"That is why I saw fit to be with you today, to share with you the joys and pleasures of the festive season."

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