The letter below can also be read as and/or downloaded as a PDF by >>CLICKING HERE<<

Attention: Honourable Premier David Makhura 

13 April 2020

An open letter to Premier David Makhura regarding Covid 19 Relief Programmes

Dear Premier,

It saddens me as a citizen of this country to have to beg for my people. The so-called coloured people of this country have been marginalised and oppressed since the inception of Democracy in 1994.

Today, I will not go into the history and the past treatment of the so-called coloured people. I have done that in the past and it fell on deaf ears.

My letter today is to address the treatment of the so-called coloured people during this current Covid 19 Pandemic. In our areas, we are forced to organize ourselves and to put in our own resources and efforts to address serious anomalies in our areas. We have been fortunate that Muslim Communities, Business, individuals and other charity groups have stepped up to the plate to assist our people.

This oppression continues up to date with the discriminatory practices against people of colour. The Gauteng Government have implemented Covid 19 relief programmes for destitute people in terms of providing shelter and food parcels to the needy. There is no shelter in any of the so-called coloured areas for the homeless and our people continue to sleep on the streets, under bridges and in Power Sub Station yards to be safe. They continue to go begging daily for something to eat. In some of our communities, there are 12 member families sharing one room in Backyard shacks. (So much for Social Distancing).

However, I can safely say that the relief programmes that your Social Department have implemented in all our areas in Gauteng and I am sure countrywide, have not reached the so-called coloured communities, the forgotten people… I am inundated with requests at all hours of the day from our people wanting to know when they will receive something to eat. Yes, we adhered to the call to draw up detailed lists of people in need in all areas. These lists were submitted via the email address and the Ward Councilors. It is now 2 weeks later and still no delivery, instead, in some areas ANC members have approached our people and made lists and promised that the ANC will ensure they receive food parcels. It is sad that a Humanitarian intervention as such during such a difficult time in our lives, be used for electioneering purposes.

In fact, it is sickening… In fact, what is even more sickening is the rumours that some officials are trying to sell these food parcels to the communities…

We have received reports from DA members that food trucks have been leaving the relief centers daily to go and deliver food parcels. However, we have not noticed any of these food trucks in the so-called coloured areas. I am not sure what do we as a people need to do in order to receive some relief for our people?

Therefore I appeal to you Mr. Premier, Covid 19 is a worldwide Pandemic, it does not ask for colour or creed, it does not discriminate in social standing, it does not recognize Religion, it affects all human beings on this earth. So please do not discriminate against us… Please address this issue and ensure that all destitute communities, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of race, regardless of religion, do benefit from their Governments Relief Programmes.

I have communicated with yourself and your PA in this regard when the Lockdown just started, but I have had no response in this regard, not even a recognition of my communication.

I hope and I pray that my appeals will not fall on deaf ears this time.

Yours Truly,

Paramount Chief Glen Taaibosch.

Taaibosch Kei Korana Royal House.