Pretoria - EThekwini Municipality Mayor James Nxumalo has urged councillors, including municipal staff, and business of eThekwini to donate their old clothing and non-perishable food items to assist victims of fires and other disasters in the city.
Speaking during the full council meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, Nxumalo said councillors should be at the forefront of this initiative by being the first ones to donate any second hand goods.
He also called on business people, NGOs and all residents to lend a helping hand.
"We have taken this initiative because of what has happened in the past few weeks in many areas, where we have seen many people having their goods destroyed by fires and that is why we want to assist those people with this initiative," Nxumalo said, adding that any form of donation is welcomed.
The goods can be dropped off at the mayor's office at City Hall during business hours. They will be stored at the Municipal Disaster Management Centre for distribution in cases of disaster.
Since taking over as mayor, Nxumalo and Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala have visited several informal settlements including KwaMashu hostel, Cato Crest, Clermont and Blackburn, to sympathise and bring relief to victims of disasters.
Nxumalo expressed his gratitude to all business people and NGOs who have made generous donations to assist the affected families thus far.
