Page 27 - Rural Voice III - Responding to a Pandemic

Mqanduli food distribution
We visited surrounding villages and informed people about the virus and their rights. We wrote some newsletters and handed them out at funerals and burials, where we were given a chance to speak to mourners – educating them about COVID-19 protocols, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and all the regulations. We spoke at ten funerals over five months. This COVID-19 pandemic affected the community deeply, because people were unable to travel from other provinces to see their families, or attend funerals of their loved ones.
projecTs and programmes in response To The covid-19 pandemic
Six members of staff and four board members used a bakkie and a truck to deliver food parcels to 40 villages around Mqanduli in May, June and July 2020. When we arrived at each village, we would introduce ourselves, telling the people that we had brought some food parcels for them. We would then educate them on COVID-19, before giving them the food parcels. We partnered with the local health department and the health clinic, sharing information about COVID-19 with learners at about five schools in the district. Some learners were scared, but most were happy that we were there. They felt empowered after we explained about COVID-19 and what they should do to keep themselves safe.
supporT neTworks during covid-19
We worked with local traditional leaders, religious leaders, community development workers, ward committees, and some councillors. COVID-19 forced traditional leaders and councillors to work together. They learnt the lesson that they could not work alone.
SCAT provided us with food parcels and financial support to do our job. They delivered food parcels in trucks from Cape Town and Joburg, and gave us some money to buy food for more food parcels. Bantu Holomisa, leader of the UDM party and Member of Parliament, also provided support by allowing us to store food parcels in his house at Mqanduli.
Food parcels distributed
157
COVID grant funding given to LDA’s
R 50 000
RURAL VOICE III: RESPONDING TO A PANDEMIC
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