Government should lead the way

FOR years the Zululand Observer has highlighted the plight of pensioners and the difficulties experienced when accessing government grants.

Perturbed over poor service, Zululand pensioners are often pushed from pillar to post before they are helped – a gross injustice to the senior citizens of our region.

The latest development – that the Ngwelezane-based Lower Umfolozi Welfare Offices was closed after the building was declared uninhabitable by the Department of Labour – is the result of months of inaction and neglect on the part of the authorities.

The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers first raised concern about the safety and condition of the building last year but no active measures were taken and the list of grievances was essentially ‘ignored’ before the Department of Labour finally intervened.

Given that scores of people who flock to these offices, from as far afield as Ntambanana, KwaMthethwa, Mevamhlophe and Empangeni, relocation of services to another building should have been expedited.

The end result is that pensioners are now queuing alongside the road as employees of the Department of Social Development conduct their work from the pavement and through mobile offices provided by the South African Social Security Agencies.

People expect ‘better services for all’ post democracy and it takes a collective approach from government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations to enhance the lives of citizens.

On the positive side, we have been happy over the past weeks to give coverage about many events and organisations that exist to ease the burdens of the people of Zululand, both old and young.

Besides the AGMs of LifeLine, Hospice, Richards Bay Family Care, Amangwe Village and Empangeni Child Welfare, we have reported on the RBCT Relay, Dice4Dice, Sanca Walk Away from Drugs, uThungulu Community Foundation, Cansa Relay for Life, the Round Table Cyclathon and others.

On top of this, the numerous initiatives stemming from the CSI departments of local corporates, coupled with donations and sponsorships from the business sector, ensure that many of the poor, needy, helpless and heartbroken are cared for.

Working together in an informal public-private partnership, effective government-run institutions, professional NGOs, service clubs and individuals can, and do, make this a better place to live.