THE first steps in establishing an Eden District poverty war room as part of the national anti-poverty strategy, were taken late last year by the Eden council mayoral committee.
The meeting was called to finalise the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the War on Poverty strategic partnership with the Growth Foundation, which will be headed by health economist Dr Veni Naidu.
Eden mayor Leon Dorfling said the meeting was successful, that “certain conditions” such as a business plan and modus operandi were agreed upon, and that the MOA was being drawn up.
“There were concerns at the council meeting regarding funding and the operation of the project, but we met with Dr Naidu and after establishing certain conditions we will draw up an MOA for five years.”
According to the agreement, Eden will supply an office for Naidu, give temporary administrative support to establish the office and contribute R500 per month for the utilisation of electricity and telephones. Naidu will source her own salary and transport costs, and salaries for additional staff from external donors.
“The war room will be under the Eden umbrella and we need to be open and transparent on its operation. My position is to work alongside Eden and to have its support without them paying me,” said Naidu.
Community services director Clive Africa said Naidu would prioritise the district’s integrated development plans and source funds through government and private funding, which will go directly to the stakeholders or NGOs involved in each project.
Last year a massive poverty summit was held in Eden, the Western Cape’s poorest district, to find ways to create jobs and alleviate poverty and the burden on the state for handouts.
At the summit Regional SA Social Services Agency head Dolores Wewers revealed the dire situation facing the region. Despite policy changes and implementations intended to help the poor, she said, they were not easily accessible, especially for those living in rural areas.
More than 500 000 people live in Eden and 39% of the population are unemployed.
Wewers said other factors contributing to poverty included a high illiteracy rate, downscaling of the economy and health issues, including the high prevalence of HIV/Aids.
