“I am happy and excited. This is exactly what I prayed for. Consider the smile on every aged person’s face as a testimony of the happiness about what is happening here today,” this is how Natascia Cuyler, caretaker of Adcock Old Age Homes, described the hive of activity led by senior ANC politicians and residents employed as part of the Community Works Program (Expanded Public Works Program) at the private facility in Schauderville, Highfield Road.
Chief Whip Joy Seale and Portfolio Chairperson for Public Health, Cllr Patricia Ndlovu discarded their office gear and led the team of volunteer painters and gardeners to give the facility a much-needed facelift.
Cllr Seale says that the municipality is specifically targeting old aged homes to provide a myriad of services to the aged as these beneficiaries are of a similar age group as Former President Nelson Mandela.
“We are also fully aware that a pretty garden can contribute a lot towards a more positive mindset of our elderly when they perhaps face a dark patch in their lives.
“Furthermore it is often said that we do not do enough for the Northern Areas and we are showing that it is not the case. We are doing this in addition to all the programs that are budgeted for the Northern Areas in the municipality’s 2013-2014 budget,” she added.
Today’s event saw the kick-off of Mandela Month activities with the main event planned for this Thursday (18 July) at France Valley where painting and minor repairs will be done at identified houses and the provision of government services will be highlighted such as the municipality’s Assistance to the Poor program. The distribution of food parcels will also take place and the cutting of shrubs at the corner of Mpuku and Slammert Streets.
Other planned events are:
- Tuesday, 16 July: KwaZakhele Clinic/ Dispensary @ 10:00 am – Cleansing and beautifying the facility.
- Wednesday, 17 July: Small Nangoza Jebe Hall @ 9:00 am – Discuss and debate the life and times of Nelson Mandela in the context of reviving consciousness to serve.
- Wednesday, 17 July: Vulumzi High School, Chalumna Street (NU 5 Motherwell) @ 10:00 am – Handing over of renovated ablution facilities and cleaning.
- Thursday, 18 July 2013: Main event: Thursday at France Valley (corner Mpuku and Slammert Streets) at 10:00 am.
- Thursday, 18 July 2013: Kwamagxaki Community Hall @ 3:00 pm – Community volunteerism
- Saturday, 27 July 2013: Khanyisa School for the Blind – Gardening, cleaning, renovation and entertainment for the kids.
These businesses support MyPE:
MyPE supports PE business:
