REFLECTIONS ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

“Indeed there was no precedent for the trajectory of this pandemic and the socio-economic impact this disease has had on our city. No-one had ever anticipated a scenario in which the world would come to a standstill.

Our commitment was to ensure we provide services for our city, regardless of the challenges. With lockdown nearly everything came to a standstill. Businesses closed. Scores of people were left unemployed and vulnerable. Our revenue dwindled but as a caring government we responded with urgency and compassion, particularly to the poor and homeless.

It was heart-warming to see our caring government in action, providing shelter, hot meals and security for the homeless. During this period we provided rehabilitation to those with substance addictions and even managed to reunite families. Sadly though many people due to varying circumstances become homeless and seek shelter on our streets. We will endeavour, working with partners and NGOs, to reach out to the destitute and provide them with shelter, hot nutritious meals and support to that hopefully they too will one day be reunited with their families.

Having navigated various levels of lockdown we are now recovering as a city. We are committed to all our stakeholders to drive socio economic recovery.

The pandemic has changed the way the world works and here in our capital government and business have adapted and embraced the 4th Industrial Revolution by harnessing the power of technology. Even as Council we are now adept at conducting virtual meetings.”