Dress ed in overalls and armed with paintbrushes and rollers, the Education district office volunteered their time in painting the interior of Makanaskop old age home this week. This was in line with the 67 minutes of community work marking Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
Dress ed in overalls and armed with paintbrushes and rollers, the Education district office volunteered their time in painting the interior of Makanaskop old age home this week. This was in line with the 67 minutes of community work marking Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
Eugene Marais, the coordinator of the project and the Senior Education Specialist for Life Orientation and Afrikaans, said it was important to give back in the same way that Mandela gave us his knowledge and wisdom.
“I think its the least we could do and hope it will make a difference to the old age home,” Marais said. He added that they were lucky to have received sponsorship from D&A Timbers, Penny Pinchers and Pick n Pay.
Chief Education Specialist, Bongani Stamper said they are sending a message to the community and especially to the youth, that senior citizens need care and sympathy from everybody.
“Nelson Mandela is an ageing person himself. We are linking this to people who are like him. Culturally, we don't neglect our people until their last day,” he said.
Makanaskop residential facility staff member, Nompumelo Ngqameni said, “We are so happy. We are a poor centre and not subsidised by the government, so we appreciate this assistance.
We can now welcome people with a relaxed mind as they come into a clean environment.” Another staff member, Nomatshawe Makabe was pleased that the residents will sleep in clean rooms from now on.
Makanaskop resident, Vuyiswa Habana said this brought joy to her heart to see something of this nature and a social auxiliary worker for the centre, Nomfundo Mthana said initiatives like these are important.
“We need to give them their dignity and respect that they deserve. The world we live in is because of them.”
Thanking the Education district office, she said that the old are often neglected and people ought to do the same.
