PETITION SOPHONIA COMMUNITY: WARD 7

BACKGROUND

On the 22nd April, 2024.  An online (WhatsApp) meeting was convened by the Community of Katkop which consists of 14 locations. The meeting was attended by a total of 300 total community members.

Leading to this meeting, several meetings were held with key Stakeholders, which comprise the following:

(1)   Traditional Leaders

(2)   Municipality (represented by the Mayor)

The last meeting with them was held on the 1st of September, 2024.

There were additional engagements which included many government departments as follows:

(1)   (1) SAPS

(2)   Health

(3)   Education

(4)   Agriculture

(5)   Housing and

(6)   Infrastructure

(7)   Youth Development 

 

RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY MEETING

1.     That roads and infrastructure should be constructed to ensure that the community has easy access to key services like the Clinics, Police Station and furthermore to enhance efficiency of agricultural projects

2.     That the department of Education should reconsider its proposed decision to close some of the schools in this area as this will have adverse effects on the future of the children and the next generation

3.     That the Office of the Mayor has not been honest with its dealings and has handled the community issue in indignant and dishonourable manner. It continuously failed to keep up with the promises made to resolve the community challenges

4.     That the Ward Counsellor has shown signs of complete ignorance and pride towards the Community which gave him 75% of the votes that put him into the position of power. The community passes a vote of no confidence against him and demands his removal immediately.

5.     That the community of Kat-Kop is pledging its full support and cooperation with any governmental projects intended to uplift the community and create opportunities of employment amongst others, in the areas of Science and Technology and Agriculture. The community already possess some of the basic skills amongst the older and younger generation.

NB: We therefore urge our government to take into consideration that this step of the Petition has been taken after many failed attempts by the Community to get their complaints resolved. The signatures appended herein serve as a clear indication of the complete dissatisfaction with the status core. Furthermore, the lack of seriousness with which our government is taking our complaints and demands is evident while we voted for them to serve instead it became very clear that this current government is about serving itself no the Kat-Kop community.

We are hopeful that the official who will receive this Petition will take a full responsibility in ensuring that a favourable written response is provided within seven (7) days.