Cape Town - The Klipfontein Mission Station area is in a state of decay and community activist and ward 35 Patriotic Alliance candidate Eleanor Cloete aims to restore the dignity of her people.
Prompted by what she said was the sad state of the area, Cloete has vowed to not rest until the community of Philippi East is afforded decent service delivery and facilities like other areas. She said the community’s human rights were violated in every form.
“I became actively involved in my community three years ago when our area was left without electricity for eight months. Being a baker and caterer, my household was heavily affected, as I could not do any orders, putting financial strain on my household. Getting through to officials, on the government’s level, was a daunting task and marred with red tape.
“Service delivery, is also a sad story in Klipfontein, as we only have the EPWP Programme, which is given to only a select few people, while the majority remain unemployed.
“As Klipfontein has existed for many centuries, we have a graveyard which has existed for 320 years. Currently, it’s being vandalised and graves have started to sink in as there are no structures in place to upkeep and protect our graveyard,” she said.
Cloete said Philippi East had no youth development activities, lacked infrastructure with no physical addresses, streets or house numbers. She said they were “seriously” the forgotten community.
“In winter, our homes are flooded, leaving us soaked in water, structures falling in, household appliances and furniture damaged. Our sick, elderly, disabled and children are stuck in their homes during winter.
“There is no drainage system in place throughout Klipfontein, yet three government roads – Disa Road, Govan Mbeki Road and Old Swartklip Road run through Klipfontein. For years, the community has pleaded for the government to intervene, but are told that this is private land,” she said.
Cloete said her mission was now to restore the dignity of the Klipfontein community and Philippi East.
“My aim is to bring service delivery, equal and fair job opportunities, infrastructure, physical addresses, legal electricity to each and every home, a drainage system throughout the area, and graveyard protection/removal.
“I will also ensure that a public library, health clinic and a Post Office are built within ward 35, as the majority of our community have no form of transport to get to these facilities in other areas,” she said.