Mandela’s spirit relived at old-age home

The late President Nelson Mandela’s spirit was recently invoked to help uplift the spirits of the frail and disabled elderly at Itlhokomeleng Old Age home.

The home, which supports over 100 Alex elderly, was a hive of activity with many organisations, government departments and companies joining in the celebrations to help the residents and patients enjoy the day through song, dance, goodies, meals and presents.

The centre’s elated founder and Alex’s own Mother Teresa, Marjorie Manganye, said it was only fitting for Mandela’s spirit to be relived by putting happy faces on the elderly, who he had so loved. Manganye said those who came to the event brought the residents’ messages of goodwill affirmed solidarity with them. She said the centre would never stop celebrating the day she hoped would become a daily occasion in order to improve the lives through selfless giving, stimulation programmes and providing company for the elderly who, in their last days, are frail and need physical and material support to live comfortably.

One of the benefactors of the home, the Road Accident Fund, which supported the home at last year’s Mandela Day, sent a troop of volunteers to the home. The volunteers donated buckets and cleaning materials as part of their corporate social responsibility programme. The fund’s representative, Noluthando Matu, said the gesture was aligned with their focus of supporting sustainable initiatives with an impact on many beneficiaries, and the home fitted this criteria.

“Also, it supports some elderly who have been victims of road accidents and this relates with our core mandate,” she said.

The fund hopes the home will be one of its long-term partners for the celebratory day in future. The criteria for partnership requires that 75 percent of beneficiaries be from disadvantaged communities and be disabled due to road accidents.

Details: Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home 011 443 9011.