Elderly are being neglected
Constance Msiza, coordinator for the Victims Empowerment Centre (VEC) in Dawn Park, says there is a huge problem of neglect of elderly people in the Windmill Park, Vila Liza, Marbleton and Dawn Park area.
“We get a lot of elderly people who are brought to the centre, and we don’t know where to take them; we are in desperate need of a home for the elderly,” she says.
“It’s a serious challenge, the elderly in our community are suffering, they are sick, and their family members are misusing their grants and are not taking care of them,” she adds.
Mamorena Liutloileng, social worker for Families South Africa (Famsa) in the East Rand, says the solution is to have an elderly home made available immediately, in partnership with social workers, NGO’s and nurses.
“In the home, their money will also be administered effectively and not abused, and they will be well looked after,” she says.
Three women from Windmill Park extension nine, Maria Gaba (51), Given Dada (42), and Dudu Makhubo (53), have also been touched by the plight of the elderly in their community.
“We have identified more than 10 elderly people who are being neglected or abused by their grandchildren, and whose grants are being misused,” says Gaba who runs an orphanage and crèche in Windmill Park extension nine.
The three have embarked on a project to build an old age home for the elderly as volunteers and have already identified an open space, which they will request from government.
“We want to work with social workers who can identify abuse in the home, and communicate with us so that these elderly people can be assisted,” says Dada.
Makhubo who has previously worked on a project for the elderly, has a qualification in farming, and also runs a crèche in the area.
“We want to give the elderly a safe environment where they can use their hands to plant fruits and vegetables, sew, make candles, and many other hobbies,” she says.
“With the help of sponsors and government, we just want to make a difference, and are willing to go house to house to find these elderly people who are abused,” adds Gaba.
Flora Sitshetshe is 87 years old and was recently brought to Gaba’s doorstep with her disabled grandchild, after being thrown out by her older grandson.
Sitshetshe was previously living with her daughter in KZN, and ran away following an alleged attempted rape by her son in law.
Her grandson, who she has been staying with, has been taking her grant money for rent and groceries.
She is just one of the many elderly who are in need of a place to stay and be looked after.
Xolani Mbuku is (28) recently lost his mother, he is now looking after his stepfather.
Mbuku has been off from work for two weeks to look after his step father who is unable to take care of himself.
“My challenge is that I can’t leave him alone, because he can’t take himself to the toilet; I can’t go to work as he must eat and be cleaned during the day,” says Mbuku.
Mnguni is another elderly member of the community who will be taken into the home.
“The most important thing is their health, a safe environment, and for them to be given love and care,” says Gaba.
The volunteers are appealing to the community of Boksburg to assist them, as they need to erect a structure or container that they can use as a house for these elderly people.
If you would like to assist in any way towards the building of the elderly home in Windmill Park Extension nine, then you may contact Maria Gaba on 078 237 7927.
