South Africa: One of the most important things that the Municipality prides itself in is its ability and consistency in taking care of matters pertaining to the welfare of the elderly, especially accommodation.
The type of accommodation provided to the elderly citizens in the Municipality is diverse and ranges from rental, whereby the Municipality maintains the homes, and in return, they pay rental, which includes rates, water, sewer, and refuse.
Those in that category include Rivierpark and Vergeet My Nie.
At Riverpark, only 60 years and above, couples who are SASSA beneficiaries are allowed. On the other hand, Vergeet My Nie’s old age home is flexible by allowing elderly people who are 60 years and above, single and married alike, to stay.
The Municipality also recounts donating a municipal building to the Sizabaswele Luncheon Club, under which the elderly are responsible for paying for services and buying electricity.
The Luncheon Club is a day visit program where they are served breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack before heading home.
Another milestone achieved by the Municipality was the donation of land for the construction of Thandanani’s old age home.
Other day-visit facilities for the elderly where the Municipality donated land are Kwazekwasa in Hendrina, Ikageng in Doornkop and Rosebuds in Nazaret. They accommodate elderly persons who are 60 and above. These are old age homes subsidised by the Department of Social Development.
St Joseph is an exception as they depend on fundraising for their infrastructure and services. Their grants are received at their centre as they live there full time whether they are single or couples.
At SAVF in Middelburg and SAVF in Hendrina, the same conditions apply.
“In all honesty, as Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, we pride ourselves on landing a hand to our elderly citizens, who are our parents who deserve to be looked after as we all were fended for by them,” MMC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation and Environmental Health.