City Council Fights Poverty

By Lisa Rivett

Klerksdorp Mayor J.C. Nxamakele gave many families a second chance in life when he informed them that their service arrears would be written off.

This was the situation for one Alabama resident, 53 year old Katrina Adams. Adams is an unemployed mother of 4 whose husband has been in hospital for five years after being brutally attacked. One of her sons is in jail. Katrina must take care of her family, and cope with a seemingly limitless debt. By having her arrears written off, Katrina is being given the opportunity to start over.

The City Council of Klerksdorp has written off debts totalling approximately R127 million. This was done as part of the local government's mandate to alleviate poverty in the area. Since October 2004, the City Council has been accepting applications from KOSH residents to have their service arrears cleared.  Residents had until March 2005 to plead their case.

Applicants had to posses certain criteria to qualify as indigent. Once qualified, these people were registered as part of the Council's Poverty Alleviation Program. Under this program residents will receive free basic water (6 kilo litres per household), 50 kilowatts of free electricity, and free refuse and sewage removal.

Although KOSH residents can no longer apply to have their arrears written off, they can still register as indigent. Residents that successfully qualify will receive the free basic services.

The City Council of Klerksdorp firmly believes in working together to assist disadvantaged people in the area. They believe that unemployment and poverty threaten the social stability of the community. The Poverty Alleviation Program offers needy people a chance to become productive members of the community.

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