Social Development and Special Programmes in collaboration with National Development Agency (NDA) heeded a call made by elderly persons at Imizamo Yethu for Elderly Persons project – that of providing them with a container.
MEC hands over a container to active senior citizens.
The shelter will house an administrative office and work stations for 30 elderly persons and it’s the first of its kind in Mdantsane. This special handover came after Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and MEC Majodina visited the project last year in March, where the older persons told them their plight that they were forced to craft and sew outside. Previously, they were housed in one of the classrooms at the neighbouring school.
Speaking at the handover, MEC Majodina said she was very proud of the older persons at the centre because they decided to use their time to do what they love, crafts and sewing. “You are one of a kind, please continue to do what you do and teach others to do what you do,” she said. MEC Majodana said the department’s core function is to look for them (older persons), and the department will continuously support them where necessary.
Imizamo Yethu for Elderly Persons representative Priscilla Sondishe said the availability of this container has gone a long way in motivating and building their confidence and it will surely draw the attention from the community. “It will enhance our production capacity as the premises were operating from was not adequate and especially when at times we worked outside in the cold or sunshine,” said Sondishe.
The NDA committed to add three more sewing machines to assist in the growth of the project.
NDA Provincial Manager Nokulunga Skeyi said the partnership between her organisation and Social Development is in line with their continuous efforts to work with poor communities in an endeavour to eradicate poverty. “We feel privileged to have assisted and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” said Skeyi.
