MIDVAAL GOING BEYOND PROVIDING BASIC SERVICE DELIVERY

The Midvaal Local Municipality, renowned for its track record of clean audits, financial sustainability, and top performance among municipalities nationwide, has embarked on social empowerment programs. The institution remains resolute in its mission of being a people-centred and caring institution, extending its efforts beyond mere service delivery.

There is deliberate participation in social upliftment initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the disabled within the community.

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES

Recently, the municipality donated wheelchairs and crutches as part of its commitment to community welfare and supporting individuals facing mobility challenges. The Executive Mayor, Alderman Peter Teixeira expressed the following, “Our priority is to uplift as many of our residents as possible through programs like this. We hope today’s donation will alleviate some of the challenges faced by those living with mobility issues. We aspire to create a Midvaal that is accessible to all, a place every resident can proudly call home.”

This represents only a portion of the municipality’s broader social empowerment initiative.

SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS

The municipality on an annual basis donates to schools that need assistance. The Executive Mayor together with a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Kotulong Community Centre donated over 280 school shoes to learners of Springfield School. Springfield School primarily caters to mildly intellectually disabled (MID) learners. Midvaal provided food donations to Rusoord Secondary, Meyerton High School, and New Hope Secondary School. This initiative aimed to ensure that matric learners were well-fed during their study camps, thus supporting them on their educational journey.

SPREADING THE LOVE

The municipality together with its partners Lynca Meats and Harvest Fresh donates over 50 food packages every month. This initiative is called Spread the Love. The campaign is a Mayoral Programme that seeks to assist the less privileged and those in need across all 15 Wards of our municipality. Over 500 households have benefitted from this initiative, and the programme will continue throughout the year. Heineken, a significant social impact partner of Midvaal Municipality,

generously donated 100 boxes, each containing over 35 meal packs. The donations were directed to a local school in the area - Lakeside Primary School. Additionally, additional packages were distributed to Meyerton Child Welfare, an organisation that assists individuals dealing with issues such as child neglect, maltreatment, family conflicts, alcohol and drug abuse, and food shortages.

MAYORAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM

In January of this year, the municipality launched its first-ever Midvaal Mayoral Student Financial Aid Program. This initiative follows consultations with young people from Midvaal who expressed the need for more support from the municipality for those pursuing higher education qualifications. A total of R750,000 was allocated to this empowerment initiative. Seven students will receive top-of-therange laptops, while twenty-two (22) students received assistance with their registration, tuition, and books for the 2024 academic year.

By adopting a more comprehensive approach to governance, local government can address not only the immediate needs of communities but also work towards fostering sustainable development and improving the overall well-being of residents.