Know your DA DVD screening

Members enthusiastically discussing the DVD

Last night’s screening (Thurs 18 July) at The Marian Institute of the KNOW YOUR DA DVD was a great success, over 20 members got together despite the rain and cold to watch and discuss the DVD; meander down memory lane; and mingle and chat to each other as we build toward the 2014 Elections.

The story of the Democratic Alliance, is a 12 minute video, which has put the the ANC into a tizz because it tells the story of the struggle against apartheid as being one which was fought on many fronts, and one in which many people played their part.  And while all the history books reflect the roles of the liberation movements in the struggle for freedom, there is another part of this story that remains largely untold.  It is a story that some have tried to change, or even erase entirely from history. It is the story of the Democratic Alliance.

The “Know Your DA” campaign was launched over two months ago. 800,000 pamphlets have been distributed, and nearly 300,000 South Africans have seen the DVD in their homes.  It will also be available in nine languages.

Helen Zille said in a press release that:

“For too long we have allowed our political opponents to define us. To counter this deception we  must reclaim our history. We must ensure that we never lose sight of the golden thread that connects our past, present and future: the fight against apartheid and its legacy of poverty, unemployment and inequality.”

Rates rebates clinics

Ward 57 will be holding four rates rebates clinics around the ward on:

• 27 July – St Lukes Church in Salt River,
• 3 August – Constituency office in Observatory,
• 17 August – Vredehoek Library, and
• 24 August – Marion Institute District 6.

All clinics will be held from 10h00 to 13h00.

Broadly the rebates, grants and other relief measures are as follows:
Residents with properties valued at less than R400 000, and households with a gross monthly household income of R3 000 or less are entitled to free basic services. Households with incomes between R3 500 and R4 000 qualify for a 75% rebate; those with incomes between R4 000 and R4 500 qualify for a 50% rebate; while those with an income of between R4 500 and R5 000 qualify for a 25% rebate.

Senior citizens qualify for rates rebates where gross monthly household income is less than R12 000, while the city also grants Indigent assistance  to all households with a gross monthly income of R3 500 or less of a 100% rates rebate, an additional 4,5 kl of water, and a 240 l refuse bin.

Residents who think they qualify must bring their ID books, a rates account and three months bank statements as proof of their income.