In the recent Portfolio Committee meeting of the Department of Social Development, officials were rebuked by all political parties of their failure to deliver much-needed food parcels (for which the Department forked out R 25 million) to the needy during the lockdown.

In essence, the department was supposed to distribute food parcels to 176 000 families, but only managed to deliver 1 025 in two months.

By distinction, impoverished communities across South Africa benefitted from the generous contributions from people of all walks of life - efficiently effected through the tireless and enhanced efforts of respective non-profit organisations, public benefit organisations and civil society - in response to the economic challenges faced by millions of South Africans due to the lockdown.

Often these organisations persevere against the odds and want for resources in difficult economic times. Yet there is no shortage of volunteers.

Thousands of volunteers contribute by selflessly giving their time – even on weekends – through well co-ordinated organisations with genuine concern for those affected within their and other communities.

Indeed, many organisations have rosters of community volunteers who are on tap at a drop of a hat and make themselves available to serve mankind for no reward except for their sense of Ubuntu embedded in their hearts.

The nature of corruption, inefficiencies and failure of service delivery in our country – particularly in this time of the pandemic – is unacceptable and a pervasive pattern threatening to become a habit.

Public servants – across the entire spectrum of government - have forgotten that they are.

LETTER PUBLISHED: THE MERCURY Friday, September 18 2020 & DAILY NEWS Monday September 21 2020

Darul Ihsan Media Desk