Page 17 - Rural Voice III - Responding to a Pandemic
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 THE VIRUS THAT SEPARATES US
ALSO UNITES US
mhlongo bomkazi reflecTs on how covid-19 desTroyed lives, buT also creaTed uniTy of purpose in souTh africa
The Flagstaff Community Advice Centre is a human rights organisation based at Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, under the OR Tambo District. We assist members of our community to access legal documentation, from registering the birth of a child to accessing death certificates of any individual. Our women’s empowerment programme includes sewing skills training and a food security programme, to ensure sustainable livelihoods for women and children. We do community workshops and human rights campaigns to ensure that everyone has a right to service delivery from the municipality. We have also initiated gender-based violence intervention and awareness campaigns, food security programmes, and case management.
Before COVID-19 arrived, our communities faced the challenge of unemployment. Those few who are employed work in shops which pay them less than R1,500 a month, so they cannot afford to support their families. As a result, many people depend on social grants.
The impacT of covid-19 on The flagsTaff communiTy
During the lockdown, most businesses were closed. Women in communities did not travel to town when the SANDF was patrolling, because they were afraid. Many young
FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY ADVICE OFFICE
Established in 2011, the Flagstaff Community Advice Office offers paralegal support for social injustices, labour disputes and gender equality; human rights programmes that include children, youth, adults and elders (males and female) and the LGBTI community; assistance for poor and marginalised communities in the implementation of socio-economic rights and women’s empowerment programmes.
DISTRICT: OR Tambo District Municipality
COVID-19 CASES: From March to the end of October 2020, there were 13,052 cases of COVID-19 reported in the OR Tambo District Municipality of the Eastern Cape. There were 386 fatalities.
DIRECTOR: Bomkazi Mhlongo
NUMBER OF STAFF: 3, NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 4
BOARD CHAIR: Cynthia Nontuthuzelo Sibidla
BOARD MEMBERS: Monde Nozaza; Zizo Zikali; Bafikile Mtshiki; Bayanda Patrick Sigodi; Mabhoza; Sizakele Vukaybambe
ADDRESS: Erf 20, Vatsha Building, Main Street, Flagstaff
PHONE: 073 280 5599, EMAIL: flagstaffao.vatshabuilding@gmail.com
bomkazi mhlongo
“I remember seeing a young man being beaten up by SANDF soldiers for just walking around the streets.”
RURAL VOICE III: RESPONDING TO A PANDEMIC
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