Senior citizens enjoy Mandela Day
KwaThema – Three senior citizens from Ema Three and Highland Sections in KwaThema saw their homes refurbished by the staff of various departments of the Ekurhuleni Metro on Mandela Day.
The staff replaced doors and broken windows, and painted walls, fixed leaking taps and reconnected electrical wiring for the senior citizens.
Present to help with the refurbishments was the MMC of City Planning and Economic Development, Thumbu Mahlangu.
According to Andries Nkabinde, the KwaThema Customer Care manager, they identified homes that were in poor condition and needed some work.
Ephraim Nkosi (73), one of the senior citizens, says he is happy that the metro came to assist him for Mandela Day because he lives alone and his home was in a terrible state.
His neighbour, Themba Nkosi (60) had leaking water pipes and taps which the water department attended too.
“It’s truly Mandela Day for me. My house is being cleaned and fixed by the metro. I’m happy as I live alone and there is no one who helps me with the upkeep of my home,” says Themba.
Pascalina Nkopa (98) got her house tiled and a porch was erected so she can walk in and out her house with ease.
The senior citizens also received groceries granted by the Human Settlement Department.
Nkabinde says it is important as the metro to do their bit in honour of Nelson Mandela to help the less privileged.
“Mandela Day should be every day and not a once-off event. We also want to urge businesses which are resourced to also get involved in helping the very community that support their businesses,” he says.
