Honoured for helping flood vicioms

JON HOUZET

RESIDENTS and businesses who helped with flood relief last year were awarded certificates of appreciation by Ndlambe municipality last Thursday.

About 30 recipients were invited to the council chambers where Mayor Sipho Tandani handed over the certificates, awarded "for the selflessness, kindness and compassion extended to the Ndlambe municipality and all citizens of Ndlambe that were in some way faced with hardships during the recent flood”.

The recipients included MultiSecurity, BUCO, Damant Lodge, Port Alfred Benevolent Society, Furnmark and a number of individuals who either helped with rescue and recovery efforts, or gave donations of food, clothing and blankets to people who lost their homes and possessions.

TotT also received a certificate for its coverage of the flood and relief efforts.

The following evening, more awards were handed out to various businesses and individuals, including councillors who helped their constituents during the crisis.

Tandani said the recipients demonstrated civic pride.

"When the municipality was in a difficult position to rescue and assist people, individuals came to the fore and said ‘we are willing to contribute’,” he said.

He mentioned the collapsed Saltvlei bridge as an example.

"On a Sunday, young and old were there placing sandbags and building an artificial bridge,” he said.

He hoped the municipality’s token of appreciation would be valued by the recipients, to show future generations "how you helped Ndlambe in a time of need”.

"We can’t do anything as a council without your participation,” he said.

Tandani said there were 150 recipients altogether, who would be given their certificates at separate functions.