A City of Cape Town information roadshow rolled into Westlake on Tuesday September 12.
Stands were set up in the Commando Hall, where residents could get information and assistance from various City departments, including traffic, housing, health, security, fire and rescue, libraries, recreation and parks, water and refuse.
The event was organised by Eddie Andrews, the mayoral committee member for area south, who visited the area for the first time and did a brief walkabout.
During the visit, Mr Andrews promoted a waterless car-wash product which can clean four to five vehicles at a time. It sells for R59 at Checkers.
Elroy Blouws, of the City’s Fire and Rescue, presented certificates to residents who took part in a two-day fire safety course.
Resident Beatrice Matthews, who has been in a wheelchair for 22 years, said she faced daily challenges using public toilets. “There are no rails, the toilets are too low and the cubicles too small,” she said.
Mario Carelse, 29, works as a golf caddie in the area, but he said many others were unemployed and there weren’t enough projects to keep them busy. Those who did work were often underpaid and children in the community were smoking and doing drugs.
Carol Carelse said she struggled to survive on her R1 500 pension, after paying about R300 for rent, R500 for food and R300 on electricity.
And Andrias Khofu is feeling the pinch after being without work for two years, although he now works as a cleaner at a nearby business. In the past he worked in the construction industry.
Victor Mhlana, 56, said his name had been on the housing list for 14 years.
He is unemployed and relies on his daughter to pay the bills.
Mr Andrews said more than 200 residents registered for the first time on the City’s housing database, while other residents were assisted with housing database queries. The roadshow, he said, was also a chance for non-profit organisations to build relationships with
City departments so there could be sharing of knowledge and expertise.
