Food parcel distribution to most destitute families living in and adjacent the Park

iSimangaliso community support during Covid-19 nation-wide lockdown period The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority – in partnership with Wildoceans and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – will be distributing food parcels to destitute families living in and adjacent the Park on the 1st and 2nd of April 2020 in the wards under uMhlabuyalingana Municipality. The dire situation faced by the vulnerable households, some of which are headed by children and old people, came to the attention of these entities who have partnered with traditional leadership and the municipality to respond to the situation. This hunger relief initiative is in response to the nation-wide shutdown as a result of Covid-19, which has seen some families left with no food on the table. The majority of school-going children in this community depend on a meal from school, and schools have had to close earlier as a precautionary measure to curb spread of Coronavirus.

Identification of the most needy families has been done with the involvement of councillors and traditional leadership in order to ensure that food parcels land in the hands of the most destitute families in the area. Food parcels have been prepared for distribution in wards 2, 3, 4, 8 and 10 of uMhlabuyalingana Municipality stretching from Mbazwana to Kosi Bay.

The project is being implemented with caution, observing and abiding to the national restriction on gatherings of large numbers of people. Therefore, as opposed to holding one big gathering with many people, it has been decided to arrange two distribution nodes per ward (totalling to 10).

Amongst the dignitaries who are expected to attend are Honourable Mayors, Cllr Mthethwa, uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, Cllr Mkhombo, uMkhanyakude District Municipality, Dr J Harris, Executive Director Wildoceans, Mr B. Bukhosini CEO iSimangaliso, Traditional Leadership iNkosi Zikhali, Mbila TC and iNkosi Tembe, Tembe TC.

The leadership briefing session will take place at uMhlabuyalingana Municipality Offices at 09h00 followed by the distribution of food parcels to respective communities.

Distribution points: Day 1: Amandla High School, Mazambane Primary school, eMalangeni Primary school, KwaDapha mobile clinic

Day 2: Mvelabusha Community Hall, KwaZibi mobile clinic, Ntshingwayo Hall, Mbila TC Hall, Manzibomvu Hall, Zamangwane Clinic

Media is invited to attend and may confirm attendance with Bheki Manzini on 060 533 2082.